Blown Fuse: What Causes It & How To Fix It

A blown fuse can surprise any homeowner.

You may have just plugged in your microwave, turned on the garage light switch or started the radio. No matter the reason, don’t sit in the dark! A blown fuse can either be very simple to fix or may reveal an underlying electrical problem.

Learn about coverage for your electrical system today by giving us a call: 800-670-8931

How to fix a blown fuse.

The best advice for fixing a blown fuse is to be prepared for when this happens. Your replacement fuse will be inexpensive but must match the size, type and amperage of your existing fuse. If your home has a fuse box, it’s important to have a flashlight and replacement fuses ready.

Follow these steps for how to fix your blown fuse:

1. Identify where the outage occurred.

Turn off all the lights and unplug the appliances that may have tripped the fuse. Check different rooms to see where you’ve lost electricity. Keep these appliances and lights off until after you’ve fixed the problem.

2. If your home has a circuit breaker, reset it.

Your home may either have a circuit breaker or a fuse box. Take a close look at your circuit breaker for a tripped switch. It should be out of alignment from the others that are switched on or off. This may be enough to fix your problem.

3. Find your fuse box and be aware of safety hazards.

Before you go any further, be sure your hands are dry as well as the surrounding area. Use a flashlight to check the fuse box for any broken fuses. There will either be melted metal or discolored glass in the blown fuse.

4. Replace the blown fuse.

Unscrew your blown fuse and use your replacement. If you don’t have a replacement on hand, bring your blown fuse with you to the hardware store. Be sure your replacement is an exact match. Once your new fuse is in place, test the areas of your home where the lights lost electricity.

What causes a blown fuse?

The most common reason for a fuse to blow is when the circuit becomes overwhelmed. You might cause your circuit breaker to trip or a fuse to blow when too many appliances are plugged in at one time. The hair dryer, vacuum, and microwave are common appliances that can suddenly use a high amount of energy. Consider unplugging other appliances before you plug in these items for use.

You may have also replaced your fuse in the past with a fuse that has the wrong amperage. Fuses that do not fit your fuse box are a fire hazard and are prone to blowing again.

One of the more serious reasons for a fuse to blow is if your electrical circuit has become damaged. Be very cautious if you believe you may have an electrical circuit issue on your hands and be sure to call a professional.

Can a home warranty for my electrical system help?

Did you know you can receive coverage against mechanical damage for your home’s electrical system?

This means you can give us a call or place a claim online if your electrical system experiences a breakdown, and we’ll cover the costs to repair or replace.

Select Home Warranty covers wiring, service panels, sub-panels, switches, breakers, outlets, junction boxes and ground fault interrupters. We’ll help connect you with a qualified service technician to come assess your problem and you’ll owe a modest day-of service fee.

Older homes often run on aging electrical systems, such as in Pennsylvania, where overloaded circuits can be a more frequent concern. Many homeowners rely on local coverage by home warranty provider in Pennsylvania for electrical systems and repairs.

Don’t let your family sit in the dark! Get a free quote to compare coverage for your home’s electrical system and gain peace of mind. Call today: 800-670-8931