Check Fuse or Circuit Breaker (2024)

FAQs

How do you check the fuse or circuit breaker? ›

Go to your home's electric service panel - usually, a gray metal box on an interior wall of your basem*nt or garage, near your outside electric meter. Open the door of the service panel and see if a circuit breaker is tripped (or a fuse is blown). If so, reset the breaker (or replace the fuse).

Sometimes the breaker is bad, and unless you repair it, you won't be able to stop the switch from constantly flipping to that OFF position. A breaker going bad is common in old panels or when the system is constantly overloading. It's best to call out a local electrician to carry out breaker repairs and replacements.

Well, there are a few telltale signs to look out for. Firstly, visually inspect the fuse and see if the filament inside is intact or broken. A blown fuse typically has a broken filament and a black or gray discoloration around it.

Bad Connection

They can cause intermittent power loss or arcing, which trips the breaker. Loose screws or corroded connections inside outlets or switches are common culprits. If your breaker won't reset, try tightening connections or replacing faulty outlets. If the problem persists, it's time to call in a pro.

It is safe to reset a breaker only if it has been determined that the circuit was overloaded. Repeatedly resetting a breaker could result in an arc flash or a fire. If the cause is due to a short-circuit or a ground fault, a qualified electrician must be notified to investigate the problem.

Start by turning off all the lights, appliances, and electronic devices in your home. Then, reset the main circuit breaker by switching it off and on. Afterward, turn on each circuit one at a time, and observe which one trips the breaker. Once you've identified the circuit, you can focus on narrowing down the problem.

Remove the fuse from its holder. In some cases you may need a small screwdriver to unscrew the fuse holder cap. Look at the fuse wire. If there is a visible gap in the wire or a dark or metallic smear inside the glass then the fuse is blown and needs to be replaced.

Multimeter test: Set your multimeter to the continuity setting. Remove the fuse from its holder (to ensure an accurate reading), and place the multimeter probes on each end of the fuse. A good fuse will show continuity, meaning the internal wire is intact. No continuity means the fuse is blown.

The main difference between fuse and circuit breakers is that fuses cannot be reused while circuit breakers can be reused over and over again. Circuit breakers are used to protect homes and devices against overloading and short-circuiting while fuses protect devices and homes against overloading only.

How do I know if I have circuit breakers or fuses? ›

If you see rows of switches, you have a circuit breaker box. Fuses are round and screw into sockets in the fuse box, much like a light bulb. Older homes tend to have fuse boxes. If you have a particularly large house, you may even have multiple fuse or breaker boxes.

Conclusion. The main difference between fuse and circuit breakers is that fuses cannot be reused while circuit breakers can be reused over and over again. Circuit breakers are used to protect homes and devices against overloading and short-circuiting while fuses protect devices and homes against overloading only.

A blown fuse can trigger a circuit breaker, which will knock out the power to a section of your home. Getting to the bottom of the problem will help you get the power back on as soon as possible. If the task of identifying the cause of a blown fuse is daunting, read on to discover nine reasons that a fuse may blow.

Start by turning off all the lights, appliances, and electronic devices in your home. Then, reset the main circuit breaker by switching it off and on. Afterward, turn on each circuit one at a time, and observe which one trips the breaker. Once you've identified the circuit, you can focus on narrowing down the problem.