blown lights and seems fuse.. what to do?
Discussion
I have just turned the light on in the bathroom and there was a pop and the lights went out and being as the kitchen is next door, i checked them and they are out too, the upstairs of the flat has lighting and is working so was thinking it might be a fuse.
Now here is the issue, i have an old fuse box (not with several fuse switches) and just has the master switch on the front, this will be upgraded later and replaced at the same time the bathroom gets done, but at the moment i want to know how to get my lights back on. Help???
Fuse box resembles a white box with a switch for on and off and that is it.
Now here is the issue, i have an old fuse box (not with several fuse switches) and just has the master switch on the front, this will be upgraded later and replaced at the same time the bathroom gets done, but at the moment i want to know how to get my lights back on. Help???
Fuse box resembles a white box with a switch for on and off and that is it.
thats what im thinking...
I have something resembling this:
i assume that there is some fuses under the raised section and one of those has blown.... now not wanting to be electrocuted and alergic to spending a large wad of cash to get an electrician in (especially since im replacing the thing soon)... anyone know the best way to do it?
I have something resembling this:
i assume that there is some fuses under the raised section and one of those has blown.... now not wanting to be electrocuted and alergic to spending a large wad of cash to get an electrician in (especially since im replacing the thing soon)... anyone know the best way to do it?
Flick the electricity to off, look under the cover to see which fuse has gone, if it has a button popped up on it, press it back down and put the power back on.
Of course, you might have really old fuses, in which case, take the blown one out and go to your local hardware shop to get a replacement.
Of course, you might have really old fuses, in which case, take the blown one out and go to your local hardware shop to get a replacement.
Edited by ewenm on Thursday 23 April 13:33
Dupont666 said:
thats what im thinking...
I have something resembling this:
i assume that there is some fuses under the raised section and one of those has blown.... now not wanting to be electrocuted and alergic to spending a large wad of cash to get an electrician in (especially since im replacing the thing soon)... anyone know the best way to do it?
Yep the fuses will be under the cover..I think the lighting circuit will be a 5 amp one..my consumer unit is similar to that..the fuses are just bits of fuse wire rather than a cartridge..yours may be newer and have a cartridge or even a breaker...I don't bother turning the box off if I have to change mine but you may want to...the fuses just pull out and you just push them back in after changing wire/cartridge...obviously I am not an electrician and you do things at your own risk yadda yadda.....I have something resembling this:
i assume that there is some fuses under the raised section and one of those has blown.... now not wanting to be electrocuted and alergic to spending a large wad of cash to get an electrician in (especially since im replacing the thing soon)... anyone know the best way to do it?
You may want to wait for more advice....Edited by esselte on Thursday 23 April 13:36
how much is the upgrade to fit one of these?
http://www.allaboutelectrics.co.uk/doc/12/vid/3618...
assuming i buy it, what the normal costs that the electrican does to remove and fix this one in there?
Is it ok to keep the power on and not replace the fuse? Say like doing it tomorrow instead or is that a fire hazard?
http://www.allaboutelectrics.co.uk/doc/12/vid/3618...
assuming i buy it, what the normal costs that the electrican does to remove and fix this one in there?
Is it ok to keep the power on and not replace the fuse? Say like doing it tomorrow instead or is that a fire hazard?
Dupont666 said:
how much is the upgrade to fit one of these?
http://www.allaboutelectrics.co.uk/doc/12/vid/3618...
assuming i buy it, what the normal costs that the electrican does to remove and fix this one in there?
Is it ok to keep the power on and not replace the fuse? Say like doing it tomorrow instead or is that a fire hazard?
If it is the fuse that has blown then obviously the circuit is now dead so shouldn't be a hazard...as far as I know anyway..http://www.allaboutelectrics.co.uk/doc/12/vid/3618...
assuming i buy it, what the normal costs that the electrican does to remove and fix this one in there?
Is it ok to keep the power on and not replace the fuse? Say like doing it tomorrow instead or is that a fire hazard?
cheers.... thought for a second i had lost all power and was going to be pissed off.... luckily i just need to take a torch tonight when using bathroom until im out and about tomorrow...
Anyone know a ball park figure for removing said fuse box and replacing with another one and how long it will take?
Anyone know a ball park figure for removing said fuse box and replacing with another one and how long it will take?
esselte said:
Yep the fuses will be under the cover..I think the lighting circuit will be a 5 amp one..my consumer unit is similar to that..the fuses are just bits of fuse wire rather than a cartridge..yours may be newer and have a cartridge or even a breaker...I don't bother turning the box off if I have to change mine but you may want to...the fuses just pull out and you just push them back in after changing wire/cartridge...obviously I am not an electrician and you do things at your own risk yadda yadda..... You may want to wait for more advice....
You may want to wait for more advice....Edited by esselte on Thursday 23 April 13:36
You'll get a small flash if you don't bother turning the whole lot off. It's safe now as the fuse has done its job, but it's very easy to replace a blown fuse if you want to.Try changing the fuse but when you do, turn off the main switch - it is safer and you won't s
t yourself as much as if the fuse goes 'pop' while you are holding it. If it blows again you need to get a spark in. Do take heed of this comment though;
I would recommend getting a spark to fix your fuse anyway - if you tell him your lights aren't working but ask him to quote for a new Consumer Unit, chances are he would waive his fee if there is potential for a decent job out of it. If you have a Wylex Consumer Unit as described, it is probably time you upgraded and maybe even rewire.
Dave
(Qualified Spark)
t yourself as much as if the fuse goes 'pop' while you are holding it. If it blows again you need to get a spark in. Do take heed of this comment though;mickk said:
You really need to know why the fuse ruptured in the first place, it could be because your bathroom lamp/fitting is knackered.
Re. the new consumer unit, it is worth doing. I've not done any house bashing for a while now so I'm not sure what the going rate is but don't be shocked if you are quoted around the £6-700 mark or maybe even more. When it is replaced, the spark will have to do a periodic inspection and test to satisfy himself that the installation he is connecting to is safe. Replacing a consumer unit is notifyable work so it will need to be done by an approved domestic installer or signed off by building control.I would recommend getting a spark to fix your fuse anyway - if you tell him your lights aren't working but ask him to quote for a new Consumer Unit, chances are he would waive his fee if there is potential for a decent job out of it. If you have a Wylex Consumer Unit as described, it is probably time you upgraded and maybe even rewire.
Dave
(Qualified Spark)
Edited by Ganglandboss on Thursday 23 April 17:33
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