Fuses getting Hot

mickger844posts

The fuse board in our house is over 30 years old and still uses the old screw in type fuses. One particular fuse is very hot all the time and two other fuses are a little warm. Is it normal to have hot fuses on a board like this?? Is the board passed it best and needs changing?? Any input would be appreciated.

DublinDilbert

mickger844posts wrote: »

The fuse board in our house is over 30 years old and still uses the old screw in type fuses. One particular fuse is very hot all the time and two other fuses are a little warm. Is it normal to have hot fuses on a board like this?? Is the board passed it best and needs changing?? Any input would be appreciated.

It shouldn't be getting hot. Do you know what the fuse is feeding? Have you taken the fuse out and inspected it?

Yep you could definitely do with getting the board upgraded. It might not cost too much, depending on the state of the rest of the wiring.

bbam

Definitely check which circuit it's feeding and verify the rating is correct. It was common to just stick in a stronger fuse if there was a problem with fuses blowing.
I've seen a few fuses wired through too.

mickger844posts

The particular fuse is feeding a double socket in the Kitchen and also two sockets in separate bedrooms upstairs. The one in the Kitchen runs the washing machine at times and also has an automatic outside light wired to it. The one in the bedroom runs my PC 24/7 which wouldn't be a huge load i would imagine. The fuse rating is 25A. I took out the fuse and it does have a burned look on the metal contact. Anything else i should be checking??

bbam

mickger844posts wrote: »

Anything else i should be checking??

Not really.
Get a qualified sparks to check it out.
Best be safe

DublinDilbert

mickger844posts wrote: »

The particular fuse is feeding a double socket in the Kitchen and also two sockets in separate bedrooms upstairs. The one in the Kitchen runs the washing machine at times and also has an automatic outside light wired to it. The one in the bedroom runs my PC 24/7 which wouldn't be a huge load i would imagine. The fuse rating is 25A. I took out the fuse and it does have a burned look on the metal contact. Anything else i should be checking??

The fuse ratting is too big, should be only 20A. Have you unscrewed the fuse and looked at the colour of the gauge ring?

I would guess the 20A fuse was blowing with all the loads that were on it, and someone changed (or removed) the gauge ring :eek: and put in a 25A fuse in.

Definitely get someone out to have a look and quote on replacing the board. Updating the board will be a good investment anyway and offer much better protection.

mickger844posts

DublinDilbert wrote: »

The fuse ratting is too big, should be only 20A. Have you unscrewed the fuse and looked at the colour of the gauge ring?

I would guess the 20A fuse was blowing with all the loads that were on it, and someone changed (or removed) the gauge ring :eek: and put in a 25A fuse in.

Definitely get someone out to have a look and quote on replacing the board. Updating the board will be a good investment anyway and offer much better protection.

Thanks Guys

I contacted an electrician with regards the problem and getting a new board so hopefully he will get to do the job asap.

Bruthal

It sounds like the fuse in question was too loose in its holder. It was 25 amp, and that may have been ok if it was a ring socket circuit, but even if it should have been a 20 amp, a 25 should`t of caused overheating of the fuse itself

Loose fuse is/was the likely cause with it not being screwed in tightly enough, indicated by the burning of the contact.

mickger844posts

robbie7730 wrote: »

It sounds like the fuse in question was too loose in its holder. It was 25 amp, and that may have been ok if it was a ring socket circuit, but even if it should have been a 20 amp, a 25 should`t of caused overheating of the fuse itself

Loose fuse is/was the likely cause with it not being screwed in tightly enough, indicated by the burning of the contact.

Spot on Robbie. The electrician tightened the fuse and it solved the issue to a certain extent but i can still hear a little crackling from it. He is coming back Thursday to change the fuse board.

atkin

I am changing my old screw in fuse board also.I got cracking/sizzling and it runs a little hot.
You can put a 1 cent piece in the fuse to take up slack as a temporary measure.

hufpc8w3adnk65

Giving advice like that over an open forum is idiotic and stupid!
NEVER EVER put anything metal like a coin near a fuse board unless you are 100% certain in your knowledge of electricity!

Electricity kills!If you have an issue with a fuse board contact a RECI registered electrician...most will advice over the phone for free.

LIFFY FISHING

atkin wrote: »

I am changing my old screw in fuse board also.I got cracking/sizzling and it runs a little hot.
You can put a 1 cent piece in the fuse to take up slack as a temporary measure.

MADNESS.... never put anything into a fuse board, get an electrican before you need an ambulance,
POSTER little knowledge, dangerous advise....

Dwork

MrMac84 wrote: »

Giving advice like that over an open forum is idiotic and stupid!
NEVER EVER put anything metal like a coin near a fuse board unless you are 100% certain in your knowledge of electricity!

Electricity kills!If you have an issue with a fuse board contact a RECI registered electrician...most will advice over the phone for free.

I agree, if you are a homeowner, buggur away from the fuse board. And if you have an older, screw in type fuse board, get it changed to a ELCB type, asap. I've seen numerous fires from overloading of these older fuseboards, the wiring employed is usually hard core with crap old rubber insulation.

This is strong stuff and will carry massive loadings, the downside is it gets very hot, shorts easily and won't trip anything, hence arcing, and fires. Also, it will give you a nice, toasty 25 amp shock without tripping or blowing, usually your the fusible link in the set-up. Get rid, and get a modern board. have a good root at the wiring while ye are at it.:)

One shot on kill

MrMac84 wrote: »

Giving advice like that over an open forum is idiotic and stupid!
NEVER EVER put anything metal like a coin near a fuse board unless you are 100% certain in your knowledge of electricity!

Electricity kills!If you have an issue with a fuse board contact a RECI registered electrician...most will advice over the phone for free.

Stupid advice the worst thing is to no this your either a sparks or a dummy.

Mods you have a responsibility to close this guys account.

Bruthal

One shot on kill wrote: »

Mods you have a responsibility to close this guys account.

Why is that?

Bruthal

MrMac84 wrote: »

Giving advice like that over an open forum is idiotic and stupid!
NEVER EVER put anything metal like a coin near a fuse board unless you are 100% certain in your knowledge of electricity!

Electricity kills!If you have an issue with a fuse board contact a RECI registered electrician...most will advice over the phone for free.

Not great advice the poster gave alright, but it was not unheard of in the days of gauge rings and fuse holders.

Certainly not advisable.

hufpc8w3adnk65

What's not great advice??


Don't put anything metal near a fuse board or contact a RECI registered sparks?

One shot on kill

Bruthal wrote: »

Why is that?

Why because on this site if someone has a headache you tell them to take a headache tablet. Fair enough I see the point.

You can't post on anything illegal. Fair enough I understand.

But telling some to do this on a live fuse board that is give trouble and heating up is down right irresponsible.

No offense to the op but if he can't even figure out himself that the fuse is also loose he obviously hasn't a clue about what he is looking at. As I said no offense you obviously can't know everything.

But then someone with knowledge telling an amature to do this when the fuse board obviously not operating correctly. Not only is it illegal to work on electric's if your not registered or qualified there is plenty of advise about fires etc etc.
is there kids in the house.

Op you got an electrian fair play that's what this site is for to tell you yes you need someone professional well done for acting on the problem.

But as said before electricity kills it also starts fires and they kill aswell. I'm not saying this will happen but don't increase the odds.

Why am I over reacting

hufpc8w3adnk65

I never told him do anything on a live fuse board...I told him contact a RECI registered sparks

hufpc8w3adnk65

Ye quoted me lads but are talking about they guy who said put the coin in!thats where it got messy I think

Bruthal

MrMac84 wrote: »

What's not great advice??


Don't put anything metal near a fuse board or contact a RECI registered sparks?

Not great advice the poster gave to put coins into fuseboards. But they didnt actually go into the fuseboards when it was done. It was into the fuse holder when gauge rings were missing. No real danger of anything major happening, the main problem was it allowed too big a fuse to be used if the proper gauge ring was not re fitted.

It is not really a factor these days with mostly MCB boards.

hufpc8w3adnk65

I never said put coins in a fuse board!i told the op don't put ANYTHING metal near a board!

Bruthal

One shot on kill wrote: »

Why because on this site if someone has a headache you tell them to take a headache tablet. Fair enough I see the point.

You can't post on anything illegal. Fair enough I understand.

But telling some to do this on a live fuse board that is give trouble and heating up is down right irresponsible.

No offense to the op but if he can't even figure out himself that the fuse is also loose he obviously hasn't a clue about what he is looking at. As I said no offense you obviously can't know everything.

But then someone with knowledge telling an amature to do this when the fuse board obviously not operating correctly. Not only is it illegal to work on electric's if your not registered or qualified there is plenty of advise about fires etc etc.
is there kids in the house.

Op you got an electrian fair play that's what this site is for to tell you yes you need someone professional well done for acting on the problem.

But as said before electricity kills it also starts fires and they kill aswell. I'm not saying this will happen but don't increase the odds.

Why am I over reacting

Well then, if there is that big a risk of fire, then no one only registered electricians should replace fuses, as not being tight enough causes as much problems to a fuseboard as anything else.

But besides that, I cant see why a poster should have an account closed for posting bad advice.

Anyway I myself told the OP the likely problem in post #8, and they acknowledged that in post #9, almost 1 year ago, so I think they are probably sorted now at this stage.

Bruthal

MrMac84 wrote: »

I never said put coins in a fuse board!i told the op don't put ANYTHING metal near a board!

I know, my post was agreeing with you saying it is bad advice, not saying you gave bad advice.

Not great wording on my part.

But it is nothing like the lethal sort of scenario suggested here. I myself did it once or twice to get people through the night until a proper fix could be done, when gauge rings were badly burnt. The last time would be over 20 years ago now.

I wouldnt give advice on here for others to do it though.

grange mac

atkin wrote: »

I am changing my old screw in fuse board also.I got cracking/sizzling and it runs a little hot.
You can put a 1 cent piece in the fuse to take up slack as a temporary measure.

This is the guy with Shockingly bad advice

Al Capwned

atkin wrote: »

I am changing my old screw in fuse board also.I got cracking/sizzling and it runs a little hot.
You can put a 1 cent piece in the fuse to take up slack as a temporary measure.

Holy shit.
Seriously, what would make you think that this is a good idea to put up.
That's reckless advice to give anyone, tbf.

Really anyone that read this post, and is considering it.... DONT!

Bruthal

Al Capwned wrote: »

Holy shit.
Seriously, what would make you think that this is a good idea to put up.
That's reckless advice to give anyone, tbf.

Really anyone that read this post, and is considering it.... DONT!

While I already have said it is not good advice, and I wouldnt recommend it, is anyone going to tell me what the high risk dangers involved are if an electrician does that on an old style fuseboard? Like I said, I did it as a temporary measure many years ago myself when gauge rings were too oxidised to leave in the fuseboard.

Again, for the perfectionists which boards has many of, I dont recommend doing it in any way shape or form. It is bad advice to put up.

Al Capwned

I'm not a perfectionist at all mate, nor am i an electrician but I do recognise bad advice when I see it.

Edit - just read back on this, and it may sound confrontational - not meant to be at all.

Bruthal

Al Capwned wrote: »

I'm not a perfectionist at all mate, nor am i an electrician but I do recognise bad advice when I see it.

I am not saying you are. I said boards has many.

A coin in the back of a fuse holder allows the fuse to be tightened with a burnt gauge ring removed. Like I said, I did it, until I got a gauge ring the next day to replace the removed one.

Boards tends to have people come in horrified, as if shooting an apple off someones head was advised.

If i posted that I had used a coin like this before, would the same horror reactions have ensued, or was it purely based on someone advising doing it?

Advice which I dont condone myself as said multiple times now.

Bruthal

Al Capwned wrote: »

Edit - just read back on this, and it may sound confrontational - not meant to be at all.

No not at all, your grand

dieselbug

"The one in the Kitchen runs the washing machine at times and also has an automatic outside light wired to it. "

I'm not an electrician, but to the best of my knowledge sockets and lights should not be on the same circuit. Might want to mention this to your electrician.

Bruthal

dieselbug wrote: »

"The one in the Kitchen runs the washing machine at times and also has an automatic outside light wired to it. "

I'm not an electrician, but to the best of my knowledge sockets and lights should not be on the same circuit. Might want to mention this to your electrician.

It is not a major problem running an outside light from sockets.

The main problem with it is a fault on the light can trip the socket circuit, and because it has an RCD, can trip all sockets in the house.

A double pole fused spur wired from the sockets on such a setup, allows complete isolation of outside lights etc in the even of problems.

If it was a ring main, the spur should be connected in as part of the ring.

Bruthal

Dwork wrote: »

Also, it will give you a nice, toasty 25 amp shock without tripping or blowing,

A 25 amp shock?

That cant happen in a house, or anything even remotely like it.

One shot on kill

Bruthal wrote: »

A 25 amp shock?

That cant happen in a house, or anything even remotely like it.

Ye know you keep arguing and arguing are you an electric you seem to know a bit about it. You keep saying its bad advice but you keep arguing with everyone. The fuse board is out of date and needs to be changed if it is heating up there is a problem what do you not get the advice was unsafe and dangerous. Prob not to a qualified electric but dangerous to a person that doesn't know what there at.

Andrew_Doran

One shot on kill wrote: »

is it illegal to work on electric's if your not registered

Sorry to go off on a tangent but that's not true (for the moment at least, how much longer is anybody's guess) and I have that in writing from the CER.

Bruthal

One shot on kill wrote: »

Ye know you keep arguing and arguing are you an electric you seem to know a bit about it.

I know a little about it.

You keep saying its bad advice but you keep arguing with everyone.

I am not argueing. I asked what danger the coin behind the fuse presents, while at the same time saying recommending it was not good. Perhaps you will answer that?

The fuse board is out of date and needs to be changed if it is heating up there is a problem what do you not get the advice was unsafe and dangerous.

I already said it was not good advice. I also said I myself had used a coin before. What was the danger in the case of removing a burnt gauge ring and using a coin safely in the fuse holder while a new ring is acquired? The coin is in the ceramic holder, not in the fuseboard. Now what is the major danger with that? Not withstanding that too big a fuse can go in with no gauge ring, but thats not to do with the coin. No argument, just a simple question.

Prob not to a qualified electric but dangerous to a person that doesn't know what there at.

As can be changing a socket, a light switch, or replacing a fuse and not having it tight enough.

The fact is, in the 80`s, there were many fuseboards, with gauge rings. They burn out. New fuse wont reach the outgoing fuse contact with the gauge ring removed. Coin in fuse holder, then fuse, and it would be a temporary fix if a new gauge ring had to be got. No major danger. Coin is not within the fuseboard itself at all.

That does not mean I think it is a recommended course of action. The gauge ring had to be removed, a tricky operation itself at times. So try to differentiate between my opinion that it is not the massive danger being portrayed, but I wouldt recommend it for the average person to do.

You called for mods to close a posters account. A bit silly imo.

One shot on kill

Andrew_Doran wrote: »

Sorry to go off on a tangent but that's not true (for the moment at least, how much longer is anybody's guess) and I have that in writing from the CER.

Oh right I though it was in sorry work carried out is liable for inspection and should be certified doe.

One shot on kill

Bruthal wrote: »

I know a little about it.


I am not argueing. I asked what danger the coin behind the fuse presents, while at the same time saying recommending it was not good. Perhaps you will answer that?


I already said it was not good advice. I also said I myself had used a coin before. What was the danger in the case of removing a burnt gauge ring and using a coin safely in the fuse holder while a new ring is acquired? The coin is in the ceramic holder, not in the fuseboard. Now what is the major danger with that? Not withstanding that too big a fuse can go in with no gauge ring, but thats not to do with the coin. No argument, just a simple question.


As can be changing a socket, a light switch, or replacing a fuse and not having it tight enough.

The fact is, in the 80`s, there were many fuseboards, with gauge rings. They burn out. New fuse wont reach the outgoing fuse contact with the gauge ring removed. Coin in fuse holder, then fuse, and it would be a temporary fix if a new gauge ring had to be got. No major danger. Coin is not within the fuseboard itself at all.

That does not mean I think it is a recommended course of action. The gauge ring had to be removed, a tricky operation itself at times. So try to differentiate between my opinion that it is not the massive danger being portrayed, but I wouldt recommend it for the average person to do.

You called for mods to close a posters account. A bit silly imo.

Ok fair enough were not actually in the 80's any more.

Taking into account that none of us have even seen the fuse board or even have an idea what sort of condition it is in. And actually how old anything is. Now you have said you wouldn't advise anyone to do it why is that.

Bruthal

One shot on kill wrote: »

Ok fair enough were not actually in the 80's any more.

The fuseboard in the OP here was not asked about in the 80`s either, yet still existed when it was asked about last year.

Taking into account that none of us have even seen the fuse board or even have an idea what sort of condition it is in. And actually how old anything is.

You were going on about the massive danger of a coin in a fuse holder, more so than the fuseboard here.

Now you have said you wouldn't advise anyone to do it why is that.

I wouldnt usually advise anyone to remove a fuseboard cover either, when they ask a question. Yet they are removed all the time. Is recommending removing a fuseboard cover, also in your MOD ban requests of posters?

And what is the danger of the coin in the back of the fuse holder? You must know?

One shot on kill

Look back through your posts you brought up the 80's.

And look I'm more or less finished with this tread is just silly now

But in my mind if they wanted you to use 1 cent coins they give you a bag of them with your fuse board. Look 1 screw driver or finger in the wrong place and there is a nasty shock which a perfectly healthy person will more than likely survive. Looking out for someone's safety is noting to be in ashamed about.

Ye maybe getting the account closed was a bit extreme.

Keep the faith.

Bruthal

One shot on kill wrote: »

Look back through your posts you brought up the 80's.

You dismissed my post on the basis this is not the 80`s. Since some boards from the 80`s still exist, including the OP one, your basis of dismissal seemed irrelevant.

But in my mind if they wanted you to use 1 cent coins they give you a bag of them with your fuse board. .

Improvisation often involves items not included as standard.

1 cent coins would not be great, so that`s you and improvisation off to a bad start.

Look 1 screw driver or finger in the wrong place and there is a nasty shock which a perfectly healthy person will more than likely survive

Changing a light switch or socket, or dare I say it, an MCB, involves screw drivers and fingers too, without a coin in sight.

dpw11104

Was commonly done though not safe to put a coin in place of broken /too small a gauge ring.There is /was a special tool to remove the gauge ring we would wrap in electrical tape .Kitchen plugs should be isolated from any other circuits ,warm fuse indicates overloading .The fuse may not blow because it was replaced with a bigger size,but your wires inside the wall or heating up as well/not safe.I have seen people put paper clips in place of 13 amp fuses in plugs etc.....not safe.I served my time as an electrician in the early eighties but live in New York .Send me a round trip ticket to Dublin and I will gladly stop by to have a gander(no charge).

Bruthal

dpw11104 wrote: »

Was commonly done though not safe to put a coin in place of broken /too small a gauge ring.

While not ideal to put too big a fuse in the place of what should have been there, what is the actual danger of using a coin to temporarily take up the gap left by a removed gauge ring, if stuck and while waiting to get a new one?

Send me a round trip ticket to Dublin and I will gladly stop by to have a gander(no charge).

Id say the OP is ok now, it was last May he asked the question.

hufpc8w3adnk65

dpw11104 wrote: »

Was commonly done though not safe to put a coin in place of broken /too small a gauge ring.There is /was a special tool to remove the gauge ring we would wrap in electrical tape .

Ya it's a very technical name it's called a "gauge ring extractor tool".yes thats exactly how the tool was named on my list of tools in 2001 for FAS ha ha..

dpw11104

Bruthal wrote: »

While not ideal to put too big a fuse in the place of what should have been there, what is the actual danger of using a coin to temporarily take up the gap left by a removed gauge ring, if stuck and while waiting to get a new one?


Id say the OP is ok now, it was last May he asked the question.

It was done by people as a DIY quick fix ,and if it is working people often leave it as is without replacing the gauge ring .The gauge ring is to ensure the right size fuse goes in for the cable/load demand on that circuit.Also , the fuse might not make good contact which could result in electric arcing as they mentioned.While I don't think it's brain surgery I would leave to a sparks to fix.
Same way I let my wife do the laundry/dishes (not my specialty).

dpw11104

MrMac84 wrote: »

Ya it's a very technical name it's called a "gauge ring extractor tool".yes thats exactly how the tool was named on my list of tools in 2001 for FAS ha ha..

ANCO 1983 , cutting edge back then.

hufpc8w3adnk65

It's still cutting edge as ive never met another electrician who has one in his tool box ha ha.mine is in the bottom of an old tool box in the back of the van gathering dust..was handy tho the 10 times I used it

dpw11104

MrMac84 wrote: »

It's still cutting edge as ive never met another electrician who has one in his tool box ha ha.mine is in the bottom of an old tool box in the back of the van gathering dust..was handy tho the 10 times I used it

Mine is at the mammy's house ,I am still put to work when I go back on holiday's.Another hot commodity was a bushing spanner for fitting in the trunking,constantly getting borrowed (nicked)on jobs.

Bruthal

dpw11104 wrote: »

It was done by people as a DIY quick fix

Lots of things are done as a quick fix by the diy`er. And some are done by professionals as a temporary fix until the proper fix can be done.

,and if it is working people often leave it as is without replacing the gauge ring

DIY and journeymen sparks might. That does not mean its dangerous when a proper sparks does it until they get a gauge ring to fix properly.

.The gauge ring is to ensure the right size fuse goes in for the cable/load demand on that circuit.

It ensures that too big a fuse wont go in. It wont ensure the correct size one goes in.

Also , the fuse might not make good contact which could result in electric arcing as they mentioned.

That is possible with any fuse, and is often the cause of needing a new gauge ring in the first place.

While I don't think it's brain surgery I would leave to a sparks to fix.
Same way I let my wife do the laundry/dishes (not my specialty).

Not much in the average electrical work is brain surgery, but plenty doing it, would be better off at the laundry.

dpw11104

Bruthal wrote: »

Lots of things are done as a quick fix by the diy`er. And some are done by professionals as a temporary fix until the proper fix can be done.



DIY and journeymen sparks might. That does not mean its dangerous when a proper sparks does it until they get a gauge ring to fix properly.


It ensures that too big a fuse wont go in. It wont ensure the correct size one goes in.


That is possible with any fuse, and is often the cause of needing a new gauge ring in the first place.


Not much in the average electrical work is brain surgery, but plenty doing it, would be better off at the laundry.

Do you know why fuses sometimes make a humming sound ?

mikom

dpw11104 wrote: »

Do you know why fuses sometimes make a humming sound ?

Don't know the lyrics?