Electricity not working - help!

[Hermia]

I woke up this morning to find the electrical appliances on one side of my house are not working at all. The sockets are completely dead. The other side of the house is fine as is the central heating. What could have caused this? The electricity company have been no use as we have an old wiring system (which we can't afford to replace). I just wanted to have a vague idea of what could have caused it and what needs to be done. I don't want to look like a complete nitwit or the electrician might try and con me!

[5029]

Check your trip switches, something could have tripped on one circuit but not the other

[Hermia]

We don't have any switches 'cause the wiring is so old.

[Hammer]

Pull out the fuses and check the fuse wire, There should be a strip of wire running across the two contacts. If one has burnt out, get yourself some new fuse wire form a hardware shop and replace it. Bingo!

(Make sure you use the correct rating, eg 5 amp, 10 amp, etc)

[Artemis]

If it is the fuse, then that fuse has blown for a reason.

[landie]

Agree with Artemis,  the fuse is a safety device which is there to protect the circuit wiring and your safety. If you find,after refitting the fuse, that the fuse blows straight away, then you have a short circuit somewhere that needs investigating.

[Hermia]

Thanks everyone! I fixed it and now everything is working perfectly again. And I finally found a use for that disgusting vanilla candle I was given last Christmas!

[outaboutnowt]

Hermia if you have very old wiring see if any grant's are available from your local council, many fires start from old wiring!