Fuses

[soaps]

Is there anyway to tell if a fuse has gone in a plug? My iron just cut off and when I checked for loose wires there was none, so I put the fuse in silver paper and it worked then, is it dangerous to do this?

[mike11111]

<I guess the EU is good for something.>

I will agree with soaps on this, and this alone, as far as the EU is concerned.

[jake-the-peg]

And low price airlines and forcing mobile phone companies to reduce charges on international calls and taking on big businesses like microsoft and........

[Coldicote]

I recently had an electrical safety check done throughout my home for insurance reasons and was taken aback by the number of items that needed to be changed or updated, including a new fuse box and off peak heater control. Much was said about circuits being overloaded that I didn't really understand. I do agree with the warnings given here - you can't be too careful with electricity.

[soaps]

Jack-the peg ???????????
Coldicote, There is a lot that can g wrong (electric wise) in the home.

[mike11111]

< I do agree with the warnings given here - "you can't be too careful with electricity">.

Many a prisoner strapped into the chair in an American jail has made the same comment.

[alexanderd]

shocking!!!

[soaps]

Your GAS

[VHG]

>I remember my Dad putting tin-foil around the fuses

The fuse is the weakest link in the circuit.

If something goes "wrong" with a device (iron or whatever) then it is the fuse that blows (being the weak point).

Putting silver paper round it just STOPS it being the weak point and makes some other part of the circuit "blow" (the iron perhaps).

If the device (like the iron) has metal components, and faulty wiring has made the metal live, you could kill yourself by putting silver paper round the fuse and touching the iron.

[Hopkirk]

You are taking all the fun out of life VHG

[The Builder]

.......... Soaps ............. pleeeeze .......... I'll send you some :o)

http://www.screwfix.c...s/13A-Fuse-Pack-of-10

[carlton23]

A few years ago I had to help my father-in-law to change a fuse and when I checked out some other fuses in his house I was horrified to see bare wires nearly touching each other because too much rubber sleeve had been exposed and showed about 1inch of wire.

[Invictas]

Hold on I will just call the Fire Brigade!

[beso]

Even if the foil is the weakest link in the system it is not encased in a fireproof glass tube. Consequently when it blows it could set fire to the plug.