A Useful Guide For Replacing Plug Fuses

[nbwriter]

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

 

[GBDamo]

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

 

[ackbarthestar]

Or are we con-fused ???

 

[Squid]

Chewing gum foil is rated at 13A

 

[Deleted member 26818]

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

 

[Darkwood]

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]

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

 

[ackbarthestar]

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

 

[Squid]

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

Gayist..........

 

[nbwriter]

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:

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]

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]

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

Only joking, no offence intended ??

 

[nbwriter]

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]

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]

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