Help - Electrics

[weeal]

Ehm hello
Ive just blown my overhead lights lol

Previous properties have had separate trip switches this one doesnt (I cant find any)
http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee122/WeeYo da/P3300134.jpg
See pic - do I just take off all the fuse covers and look for one thats bust???

Thanks

Al x

[Whickerman]

Hi weeal - yes - there'll be strips of fuse wire in them and one's blown

Try that switch first though

[weeal]

tee hee thanks Whickerman, you mean put all the power off first???

[Whickerman]

nope - that switch is in the off position...?

[Buenchico]

Turn then power off. Then check the left hand pair of fuses first. They're only 5A which is consistent with a lighting circuit. (One's probably for upstairs and one for downstairs).

Chris

[weeal]

no its in the on position Whickerman

I presume its only the overhead part thats blown (just as i switched a light on obviously) as the sockets are all operational

[weeal]

thanks Chris, will try that bit first, hope its fuses n not fuse wire cos I have spare fuses!

If not will have to wait till tomorrow

should I only do this with all the power off tho? or is it safe to take out the fuse thingies whilst the main switch is on?

TIA

[Whickerman]

yes - just one of them, as Chris points out it's most likely a 5amp one.

You'll need to keep some fusewire handy for the future - haven't seen a board like that in a while.

[Buenchico]

Hmm

Official answer: Always turn the power off first.

Unofficial answer: I never bother.

Chris

[weeal]

I know, typical old rented flat I guess.

I am used to a loop system and separate trips etc

kinda looks like the one on the RHS has popped out slightly

[Whickerman]

you could try swap one for the other if you haven't one spare - that'll tell you quickly which is blown. (5A for 5A, naturally)

[weeal]

ok if u hear a loud bang.....its wee me hahaha

[weeal]

none of them will budge

will need to go find a neighbour or something tomorrow to help I think, or I might be braver in day light

thanks you guys for helping a damsel in distress

[Buenchico]

I still think it will be one of the 5A fuses on the left. The fact that the one on the right is sticking out slightly is probably just because it's a poor fit. (The right-hand pair should be for your upstairs and downstairs ring main sockets).

BTW: My house is far from 'ancient'. (1970's Barratt home). but it's still got the same type of fuse board which you've got.

Chris

[weeal]

this flat is just ground floor so maybe some of them are duds? I will have a look tomorrow if I can get the covers off, theyre firmly stuck

thanks again Chris

off to bed now

[Buenchico]

To pull a fuse out you often need to rock it up and down a bit. (i.e. pull alternately at the top and bottom). If it's sticking though, I do recommend turning off the power. If your finger slips behind the fuse as you're rocking it out, it could come into contact with the metal prong of the fuseholder while it's still connected to the mains power.

Chris

[weeal]

yeah the board its attached to moves also, bit shaky, I will do it in daylight with all the power off I think

I dont want to fry lol

thanks

[weeal]

YAY we have light lol

Thank you boys.
The fuse wire that snapped in the 5amp pins was burned black and it was 15amp !!!

Just a new bulb now and Im sorted.

Ta mucho xx

[Whickerman]

Nice one weeal - welcome back into the light!

BUT - i'd have that checked - 15A fuse wire burning out on lights only? Possible someone naughty's wired in an extra appliance or two...

[weeal]

Oh No Whickerman, I have had so much trouble recently with the letting agent in this place, think I'd be better off just finding a better flat

[Whickerman]

You'll find out quite quickly.

My house is quite old - about 120 years - and the wiring was dire when we bought it. We were doing the washing one day, and had the immersion on. I turned on the tv and blew the lot. Turns out the bodger who previously owned it ran one line through the kitchen/bathroom and they were all on it. I've since replaced the fuse box with trip switches, find them much safer. The old box didn't even have fuse wire fuses - they were the screw-in bakelite type.