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

 

[DPG]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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?

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