Forum Home
PC World Chat
 
Thread ID: 78881 2007-05-01 07:13:00 Electrical question somebody (208) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
546017 2007-05-01 23:42:00 Don't panic Slim. If the fuse wire is too small, it will oxidise & melt... If the cartridge is undersize it will "Blow" inside... That is what they are there for, to be the weak link in the chain. Your first post is ok. This is as it should be.

PJ Retired Electrician.

Maybe I did not word my reply correctly PJ, I was inferring that the wire could be to big or the cartridge oversize.
In my experiance when a fuse has previously blown, it has been replaced with anything available.
This is why circuit breakers are preferable.
It always pays to check yourself. FIRE FIRE
Slim (4633)
546018 2007-05-02 00:05:00 I probably should check, but I'd rather not at this point because it'll turn off the power to the entire house (funnily enough). Something I'll make sure I do in the near future. somebody (208)
546019 2007-05-02 02:28:00 Hmm. Thanks Neil.

I bow to superior knowledge. PJ
Poppa John (284)
546020 2007-05-02 02:38:00 Slim,

Only a physical inspection will resolve this. It will depend on how old the property is.

If modern, then the mains cable from outside the house will be 16mm & is rated at 60 amps, even tho it can carry a little more.

If 'Fairly' modern the cable may be the old imperial 7.064 , which was also rated at 60 amps, but could carry much more.(In my case in Auckland, because I was an electrician working from home, they finally
put an 80 amp fuse in mine.)

If old, then you may have a problem. It may only be a "30 amp" cable. & had a 45 amp main switch on the board.

I would be interested on Neils opinion on this. He is still working & I am operating from a tired memory. Have you spoken to your landlord about your worries? PJ
Poppa John (284)
546021 2007-05-02 06:02:00 The service main will be fused at the point that it connects to the network (the pole fule or service fuse if underground power)

That is typically a maximum of 60 (63) amps and protects the cable to the house .

The official term for what you observe is "diversity" as you never actually have all circuits fully loaded, but if you did then the main breaker or the service fuse would go .

To have the incoming main and switch rated at the sum of all other circuits would be a gross waste of money .

The power company network is not rated for every house to draw 63 amps at once either, or the transformer fuse further back would blow, and so on .
godfather (25)
1 2