Jerry Brown Domestic Electrician Telephone: (01684) 567565

Fuse Information

Fuses are vital safety devices but they can only do their job properly if you have the correct fuses installed. It seems that whenever you buy a plug, it comes with a 13 amp fuse already installed. Never assume that it is safe to use a 13 amp fuse for all appliances. Fuses are available rated at 1 amp, 3 amps, 5 amps and 13 amps.

The job of a fuse is to blow when something is wrong. It is a simple automatic switch to turn off the applicance rather than allow it to catch fire or electricute someone. With this in mind, each appliance should be fitted with the lowest rated fuse possible so that it blows easily.

So, how do you know what fuse to fit in any one applicance? Thankfully, it's a very simple calculation and it's shown on the right:-

Amps =

watts volts

So, all you have to do is look at the information plate on the back of your appliance, or in the manual, where you will be told the power consumption in watts (remember that 1kw = 1,000 watts) and divide that figure by 230 (because the UK electrical system is a standard 230 volts AC system). When you have the figure for amps, use the nearest available value of fuse above the amps used by your applicance. To the right are some examples (though they are only examples and should not be assumed to apply to your equipment - you must do the calculation for yourself according to the power consumption of your equipment):-

Television - power consumption 600w 600/230 = 2.6 amps - so a 3 amp fuse would be appropriate. Electric heater - power consumption with all bars on 2.5kw 2,500/230 = 10.87 amps - so use a 13 amp fuse. Table lamp with 60w bulb 60/230 = 0.26amps - so a 1 amp fuse would be adequate.

Alternatively, you can use this ready reckoner:

Power Consumption (w)	Fuse
up to 230w	1 amp
231w - 690w	3 amps
691w - 1,150w	5 amps
over 1,150w	13 amps

WARNING! if a fuse blows, always replace it with a fuse of the correct rating. Never be tempted to use a higher rated fuse just to stop it blowing. If you replace the fuse and it blows again, there's a good reason and it probably just saved your life. Get the equipment checked by someone qualified to do so.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this information, reliance upon it is entirely at your own risk and no responsibility will be accepted for any loss or damage incurred or suffered as a result of reliance upon it whether such loss or damage is suffered directly or indirectly.

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