A Useful Guide For Replacing Plug Fuses

nbwriter · Dec 17, 2017

Hi Guys & Gals,

I was working recently on fixing a 2KW electrical heater. I came across this thread on this forum:

Domestic - Advice please fuse keeps blowing - https://www.electriciansforums.co.uk/threads/advice-please-fuse-keeps-blowing.66924/

Although it was abit jumbled (and I cannot reply to it directly) it pointed me in the right direction, so I was able to fix what I thought might be a faulty heater, so I've put together a little guide (that should prove useful) for anyone else in the same boat.

GUIDE:

Change out 13Amp FUSE - But make sure its a Bussmann Brand
fuse , BROWN in colour, with the ASTA diamond mark.

- RETEST

Use 13 Amp fuses from a different PACKET in the plug

- RETEST

Change the ENTIRE plastic plug (with a new fuse)

- RETEST

Plug the HEATER (or other device) into a different mains socket

- RETEST

Avoid FAKE fuses! There are fuses being sold as genuine BS1362
that ARE dangerous. The genuine ones have FLAT ends, bolder
typeface saying Bussmann. (The metal caps are slighly DULLER on
the genuine fuses, too).

Good link to identifying FAKE household fuses:
Counterfeit BS1362 Fuses - http://www.pat-testing-training.net/articles/fake-fuses.php

kind regards, nbwriter

[ElectriciansForums.net] A Useful Guide For Replacing Plug Fuses

GBDamo · Dec 17, 2017

????, is this a wind up????

ackbarthestar · Dec 17, 2017

Or are we con-fused ???

Squid · Dec 17, 2017

Chewing gum foil is rated at 13A

Deleted member 26818 · Dec 17, 2017

smoke packet foil doesn’t seem to work any more.

Darkwood · Dec 17, 2017

Bussmann are one of many brands out there so it is wrong to suggest you must use Bussmann brand although I suspect you meant 'if it is a bussmann then ensure it is not a fake', all you need to do is buy your fuses from a reputable retailer, if you buy your fuses off a market stall or similar then you may indeed be buying fake but that is the same for phone chargers, batteries well anything electrical all of which can explode or burn your house down or give you a nasty shock...

Your kinda preaching to the converted here IMHO, I doubt any Electrician worth their salt are going to buy their gear off market stalls, those that do are not bothered about fakes anyway.

Deleted member 26818 · Dec 17, 2017

I nick mine from work, then when I can’t find them buy some from Maplins.

ackbarthestar · Dec 17, 2017

Reading the above linked article leads me to think that we have no working import policy.........

Squid · Dec 17, 2017

spinlondon said:
smoke packet foil doesn’t seem to work any more.

Gayist..........

nbwriter · Dec 17, 2017

Dear Contributors,

I wasnt expecting ANY feedback on my little fuse guide, so thanks for the replies.

For GBDamo:

I was honestly able to repair a 2KW convector heater using a combination of advice in an EF thread (The poster had the same issue as me) and abit of research (and testing) on my own part. The heater is still ON TEST now in my bedroom and appears to be working normally. (The thermosat can be heard clicking on and off, the 13 Amp fuse (that I replaced twice) is no longer "blowing" (or possibly closing the circuit, sorry I'm not an electrician, so not sure of correct term). The heating elements are producing heat (that's very welcome during this sub-zero winter we've been experiencing in the UK).

For darkwood:

darkwood said:
Bussmann are one of many brands out there so it is wrong to suggest you must use Bussmann brand

Agreed. I read somewhere "Bussmann" are a reputable manufacturer. (And yes, it appears the fakers are using the Bussmann name- possibly illegally?) As an average joe consumer, I was a bit saddened that I could be purchasing sub-standard or even dangerous fuses (it appears the fake ones are sometimes not filled with sand).

Good idea to draw up a list of reputable manufacturers and retailers of household fuses (I will do so, time permitting). Thanks for suggestion.

Testing The Retailers:

Out of interest (and because I'm now running low on fuses) I visited a local Coop Store this morning. I found they do sell "mixed fuses" that has "BS1362" printed on the back of the packet. But I didnt buy them. Looking closely at the "caps", they were shiny AND had large dimples pressed into them, indicating they are probably fakes!

For spinlondon:

Maplins (as a rule) sell higher quality electrical items and accessories: Agreed. I'm in and out of there all the time, due to working on various projects. (In fact, I may check out Maplins household fuses to see how genuine they are!)

kind regards, nbwriter

nbwriter · Jun 7, 2021

hi guys... hope you all enjoying summer weather... ?

Update: Fuse Guide

As raised by forum contributor @Darkwood: there are other reputable manufacturers of fuses, beside bussmann. I promised to compile a list to assist forum members (when I had chance). Sorting (my extensive)
collection of parts & tools, today, I came across two "Vernon Fuses". [pic attached]

Studying them carefully, I have concluded these are genuine. (One can tell from the ink used and smaller dimples top and bottom). So, so far, I've got:

Bussmann
Vernons

(Although, these are being faked by "rogue producers", too... You can spot the differences with a bit of practice, hence my guide). Thanks for reading, nbwriter. ?

DPG · Jun 7, 2021

That list has taken you 4 years to compile? Also Maplin have since closed down.

Only joking, no offence intended ??

nbwriter · Jun 7, 2021

Hi @DPG

Thanks for feedback ... It's an interesting "journey" finding out which fuses are genuine (and which are not). From what I can tell, there isn't a list of reliable fuse manufacturers anywhere online... ?

I recalled @Darkwood observations while doing a "sort out" today... Currently, I have 5 big boxes of spare electronics components, plus enough tools to start my own repair shop ?

Believe it or not, i'm asked to fix various grinders and machines (where I work) that appear to be "dead". This appears to be due to poor quality fuses blowing, rather than other electrical faults... from what I can tell, under load, a "fake fuse" is more likely to blow than a genuine one.

I was a huge fan of Maplin's and got many components and tools from their outlets.. Not sure why they folded? (Maybe someone will read this post and fill me in). Where can I go now for quality gear?

thanks for reading, NB

DPG · Jun 7, 2021

nbwriter said:
Hi @DPG

Thanks for feedback ... It's an interesting "journey" finding out which fuses are genuine (and which are not). From what I can tell, there isn't a list of reliable fuse manufacturers anywhere online... ?

I recalled @Darkwood observations while doing a "sort out" today... Currently, I have 5 big boxes of spare electronics components, plus enough tools to start my own repair shop ?

Believe it or not, i'm asked to fix various grinders and machines (where I work) that appear to be "dead". This appears to be due to poor quality fuses blowing, rather than other electrical faults... from what I can tell, under load, a "fake fuse" is more likely to blow than a genuine one.

I was a huge fan of Maplin's and got many components and tools from their outlets.. Not sure why they folded? (Maybe someone will read this post and fill me in). Where can I go now for quality gear?

thanks for reading, NB

I was also a customer of Maplins for many years. They are missed, along with Tandy.

telectrix · Jun 8, 2021

not surprised maplins folded. i went in there once for a 2.0AH alarm battery.... £39.99. every where else, about £12.

DPG · Jun 8, 2021

telectrix said:
not surprised maplins folded. i went in there once for a 2.0AH alarm battery.... £39.99. every where else, about £12.

Yeah it did get expensive. It also went a lot more consumer goods based rather than an electronic hobbyists store like it was originally.

telectrix · Jun 8, 2021

yeah. even when stocked with components, they'd put 1 component in a bag and charge £5.99 for 1 of what you can get elsewhere for same price per 10.

DPG · Jun 8, 2021

telectrix said:
yeah. even when stocked with components, they'd put 1 component in a bag and charge £5.99 for 1 of what you can get elsewhere for same price per 10.

Tandy were bad for that. And a lot of things like connectors and components you could only buy in packs of 2 for some reason.

Lucien Nunes · Jun 8, 2021

from what I can tell, under load, a "fake fuse" is more likely to blow than a genuine one.

I don't think this is true. Counterfeit or non-compliant fuses are more likely to allow excessive energy let-through under short-circuit conditions, more likely to explode and might have a somewhat out-of-spec current rating either too high or too low. But if I encountered a non-compliant fuse that had blown in an appliance despite being of the corrrect rating, I would still assume a fault in the appliance until proven otherwise.

loz2754 · Jun 8, 2021

I agree with Lucien.
I can't remember the last time I had to change a fuse at home. The OP seems to have almost made it into a hobby! Therefore there would appear to be something wrong with his appliances.

nbwriter · Jun 8, 2021

hi guys & gals,

thanks for continued feedback : certainly, as @Lucien Nunes suggests, appliance could still have internal faults - even with a "compliant fuse" fitted. without getting too "supergeeky", plug, fuse and wiring form part of the circuit, so that's where I focused my repair efforts. (in original forum post, OP mentioned changing entire plug too).

from observations, I've noted brass pins can be dull (on older plugs) and of course, it's a good idea to check all terminal connections are clean and tight inside plug casing.

Generally, I attempt to fault trace what I can, rather than disassembling appliances. (I'm not a pro-trained electrician, so keep away from capacitors and "live working"). ? Ironically, I've just been involved in disassembling a an old Zanussi FL 1032 washing machine... but I'll spare you all the grizzly details ? (couldnt see any capacitors inside the unit).

Since a few members mentioned Maplins (being overpriced) I wondered what the word was "on the wire" about their demise. Generally, it seems company couldnt "compete with online retailers" like Amazon. (I must be old skool, I still like to look someone in the eye when I buy anything, especially something like electronic components).

Anyway, as per @Darkwood original observation, I managed to hunt down a website that lists better manufacturers of fuses. [pic attached] the general thrust of my guide is to assist you guys in the field, as i know what it feels like to be charged with fixing something that refuses to work. (knowledge is power).

RS Components:

"Fuses should have a current rating that is slightly higher than the standard operating current of the device. This means that the fuse will not blow and trip the circuit in the event of a low, harmless surge."

Bussmann have produced a vid detailing how larger cartridge fuses are made (youtube, not sure I can post that here)? Basically, in genuine fuses they use a "44/100 sand filler" and "check voltage throughout" the fuse, before it's retailed.

kind regards, NB

telectrix · Jun 9, 2021

i never known of a 1" piece of 6mm screwed rod blowing, think rating is around 3000A. that'll run all your appliances off of a 8 way extension lead and still be able to cope with the cooker and shower. ???

nbwriter · Jun 9, 2021

telectrix said:
i never known of a 1" piece of 6mm screwed rod blowing, think rating is around 3000A. that'll run all your appliances off of a 8 way extension lead and still be able to cope with the cooker and shower.

i've been on this forum so long, I actually got this joke ?

anyway... the debate about Maplins fascinates me... because getting balance right between quality and reasonable cost is probably the secret to success... maybe?

DPG said:
It also went a lot more consumer goods based rather than an electronic hobbyists store like it was originally

From what I can tell, Maplins was set up by two supergeeks (like me, I guess)? who couldnt find quality components for their electronics projects.... As DPG points out, they diversified into "consumer goods", rather than sticking with components and tools for the trade (is there a lesson here)?

Anyway, for the nostalgic among you, I came across a "Maplins Universal Charger" (for laptops) during my sort out... Checking it carefully, its fitted with a genuine "bussmann" fuse and even the molded plug has a BS rating. I repair many chargers and laptops (just as a hobbyist mind you). This thing came with multiple plugs, can cope with a range of voltages, has a digital display and survived my sister's household (3 teenagers, 2 dogs and one husband who works in construction trade) for two years! ?

Maybe it's my old skool ways, but spending a few quid extra (sometimes) leads to considerable savings down the line...

kind regards, NB

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