Fuses often blow at the least expected moments. Their failure can be annoying, but it is worth remembering that turning off the current flow in the circuit prevents serious consequences of a short circuit. In our article you will learn how to check fuses and what to do after they are damaged.
Check the fuses at the Onninen wholesaler
How to recognize a blown fuse in the electrical installation?
Let's start with the most important issues - these are of course checking the fuse and the operation and construction of the fuse. Its purpose is to disconnect the current circuit in the event of an increase in voltage in the installation. A blown fuse means that a quick and large jump has occurred. If the voltage increases slowly, disconnecting the circuit may take up to several minutes.
Fuses, as the name suggests, are of great importance for the safety of electrical installations. By switching off the flow of current when it reaches too high a value, they protect the circuit from overload and the resulting hazards. They can help avoid electric shock, fire and damage to wires and devices connected to the network. A blown fuse is often responsible for the lack of power in the installation. But how can you tell if it is the cause of the problem? What does a blown fuse smell and look like? And finally, how is a blown fuse replaced? We answer these questions in our new guide.
One of the most popular types of fuses are fuses. Their heart is a special insert made of an electrical conductor with a precisely defined resistance to the flow of electric current at a given time. When this value exceeds the permissible limit, the fuse insert will melt and break the electrical circuit.
In addition, the installation can be equipped with a switch ( differential current circuit breaker ), which does not require replacement after activation - it is enough to change the position of the switch. A surge fuse performs a similar function.
Fuses are used not only in installations in buildings, but also in cars. Depending on the car model, the location of the fuse box may vary. When it is located under the dashboard - both on the steering wheel and passenger side. In other cars, you can find the box in the engine compartment. It also happens that it is located in another place - this applies to, for example, fan fuses. Sometimes, additional fuses are also used, mounted in the cable run.
As for checking the fuse and making sure that the circuit was broken because of it, you can choose one of several options. If you are interested in how to check the fuse, read the following paragraphs.
The look and smell of a burnt fuse
A damaged fuse can often be recognized visually. If you don't have any tools at hand and want to check whether a given fuse has really been damaged, check its appearance and smell. A blown fuse has a very characteristic smell of burning. Changes in the form of darkening are also easily noticeable (this only applies to fuses in transparent casings).
How do I check if a fuse is working using an electrical continuity tester?
To make sure that the fuse needs to be replaced and that it has actually blown, it is best to use the appropriate tools – for example, perform a test with an electrical circuit continuity tester. To perform this, connect the tester's measuring contacts to the fuse leads and turn on the device. A working fuse will not break the circuit, which the tester will signal with an audible signal or an appropriate message.
Testing a fuse with a resistance meter
Another tool that you can reach for to check if the fuse is working is a grounding resistance meter - also known as a megaohmmeter. It is used both in the case of installations in cars. One of the most important examples of using this type of device is testing the efficiency and possible blown fuses. It is therefore worth equipping yourself with such a meter and diagnosing various failures yourself without the need to use the help of a mechanic or electrician.
Testing a fuse with a meter involves applying the meter's measuring probes to the fuse terminals. If the device indicates a very high resistance value or informs about a circuit discontinuity, it means that the fuse is blown. In the case of a functional fuse, the resistance value will be low and consistent with the nominal parameters declared by the manufacturer.
How to properly replace a blown fuse?
To replace fuses in a car or at home, you don't need to have the skills that mechanics or electricians have. Both checking and replacing these elements are relatively simple - as long as you have the right tools and knowledge.
Once you have located the blown fuse, turn off the power. In a car, you can use a special fuse grabber to remove the damaged fuse. At home, you will need to carefully unscrew the blown fuse. The new fuse must have the same parameters as the damaged one – the rated current can be checked based on the color or number markings. After inserting the new fuse, turn the power back on and check that the circuit is working properly.
Repeated fuse problems may indicate a more serious wiring problem that requires attention from an electrician.
Fuses in the Onninen wholesaler
As fuses are an important protection for the installation, after one of them has blown, you should replace it with a properly selected, high-quality product. In the Onninen wholesaler you will find a wide selection of fuses for various applications. We offer, among others, the FARNELL 1610-21 automotive fuse with a rated current of 6 A. For installation in non-insulated overhead lines, the ALPAR BNA-2 LN fuse with a rated current of 25 A with a housing made of high-quality plastic and a porcelain socket will work well. The model of the 25A overhead fuse with a terminal for non-insulated lines AL. 25-70 with a breakaway nut BNA-2 LN has similar applications and parameters.
If you have any problems with selecting the right fuse or devices for electrical installation diagnostics, please contact our store staff. Thanks to our extensive experience and good knowledge of the industry, we will definitely help you choose the right models.