What happens if you put a fuse in wrong?
Fuses are present to protect the components of the electrical system. Rather than destroying the circuit when there is a surge of power, the fuse blows to protect it. If you use a fuse with the wrong amperage, the fuse won’t blow as intended, damaging the circuit and resulting in a much larger repair bill.
What does a damaged fuse look like?
Look at the fuse wire. If there is a visible gap in the wire or a dark or metallic smear inside the glass then the fuse is blown and needs to be replaced. A reading of OL (Over Limit) definitely means a blown fuse. If the fuse is blown, replace the fuse with one that is exactly the same (see panel).
What happens if you have a bad fuse?
If the fuse is bad, upon retrieval and inspection the wire inside of the fuse will broken, burnt, or otherwise disconnected. A blown fuse will have to be replaced with a new one in order to restore function to the circuit. A blown fuse should also be investigated to determine what caused the fuse to blow in the first place.
What to do if you cant find your fuse box?
If you still can’t find the problem, call an experienced electrician. It could mean that your home’s wiring is faulty. Look under the hood or dashboard for your vehicle’s fuse box. Many cars have 2 or more fuse boxes, but there’s no universal standard for their placement.
Do you have to have the correct fuse for each circuit?
Each circuit in the home is protected by a fuse, and each fuse must be the correct type and have an appropriate amperage rating for its circuit. Using the wrong type of fuse for a circuit can pose a serious fire hazard, so it’s important to identify the correct fuse for each circuit.
How can you tell if a fuse has been blown?
If you label your fuses every time you replace one, you’ll eventually have a full diagram of the box. Swap the blown fuse out for one with the same power rating. Look for a number on the fuse, which indicates its amp rating. Write down the number or take the blown fuse with you to the hardware store to ensure you get an identical match.