What does the fuse do in a plug?

The fuse breaks the circuit if a fault in an appliance causes too much current to flow. This protects the wiring and the appliance if something goes wrong. The fuse contains a piece of wire that melts easily. If the current going through the fuse is too great, the wire heats up until it melts and breaks the circuit.

Can you use a plug without a fuse?

Without a fuse, a household plug, or any appliance that’s attached to it, it won’t work. The plug fuse is thought of as an electrical safety valve which provides extra protection in addition to the main house fuse box or circuit breaker.

Does the fuse in a plug matter?

The appliance itself is fused and that is to help protect the appliance. The fuse in a mains lead just needs to be rated at less than the maximum current capacity of the cable. So if you’re using 20 amp rated cable then a 13 amp fuse protects it.

Where is the fuse in a plug?

The fuse will be located on the right side of the plug. Lift it with your screwdriver to dislodge it. Replace the fuse with a fuse of the same amperage (check the appliance’s instructions if unsure) Reassemble the plug, plug it into the wall and switch the device back on.

What fuse to use in plug?

Plugs for appliances rated between about 700 watts and 3000 watts (the maximum rating of a wall socket) should be fitted with a 13-amp fuse (coloured brown). For example: 13A Fuse – Washing machine, dishwasher, microwave, kettle, toaster, iron.

What happens if you put the wrong fuse in a plug?

Fuses are present to protect the components of the electrical system. Rather than destroying the circuit when there is a surge of power, the fuse blows to protect it. If you use a fuse with the wrong amperage, the fuse won’t blow as intended, damaging the circuit and resulting in a much larger repair bill.

How do you tell if a fuse in a plug is blown?

Remove the fuse from its holder. In some cases you may need a small screwdriver to unscrew the fuse holder cap. Look at the fuse wire. If there is a visible gap in the wire or a dark or metallic smear inside the glass then the fuse is blown and needs to be replaced.