How do I replace a stuck fuse screw?
Question:I have a fuse box in the basement. I blew a fuse, but the screw part is stuck in the socket. The fuse itself comes out, but that makes it impossible to get a new fuse in. What do I do?
Thanks!
Answers:
Two of many possibilities.
One -The fuse did not come apart, but rather someone has put a "safety" fuse adaptor into that circuit. These fuses usually have the letter "S" by the amps rating. They have porcelain threads and two clip like contacts on the underside of the top disk.
They can only be replaced by the same amps fuse so that it is physically impossible to "over-fuse" a circuit and risk an overload electrical fire. (The threads are different for each amps.) They are also color coded. 15s are blue, 20s are orange, etc, AND the color code appears on the fuses AND in the bottom of the socket.
Two - The fuse DID come apart. You need an electrician to shut off the power to that fuse socket (and probably the whole building) so that it is safe to grab the broken off threads of the old fuse with a pair of pliers and gently twist it out without ruining the shell.
P.S. Safety fuse adaptors have anti-removal pins that make it impossible to remove them (without destroying the fuse socket).
SHUT POWER DOWN TO BOX!
Then remove screw.
MAKE SURE POWER IS DOWN TO BOX BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT TO WORK ON PROBLEM.
First... Get a flash light
Second... Close main power, you don't want to get shock and kill...
Third... Take your flash light and search for pliers (that can be done before number 1 and 2)
Finally, when everything is dark, take the pliers, grab the edge of the fuse and turn it CCW, you will remove it and install the new one (same as the one before, no foil paper or anything stupid ike that), power everything up... All done
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