Everyone uses extension cords these days even though they are not always the safest option. People rely on the fuses that accompany extension cords to protect them from surges and malfunctions. But can they truly rely on an extension cord fuse to keep them safe? It depends.
Do The Extension Cord Have Fuses?
The UK has legislation that requires manufacturers to add BS 1363 plugs to every plug-in electrical item used in a residential setting. BS 1363 plugs have fuses. As such, unless it was acquired illegally, every extension cord in the country has a fuse.
According to Today,
Most basic power strips have fuses.
That applies to extension cords as well. This is the reason why some people think that surge protectors are unnecessary. They are convinced that the fuse in a power strip or extension cord will protect them.
But that isn’t a given. You should never assume that every extension cord on the market has a fuse. The location matters.
What Is The Use Of Fuse In Extension Cord?
A fuse is a safety tool that prevents fires and shocks by protecting you and your equipment from excess current. The fuse is an extension cord’s plug that has a cylindrical shape.
It has a thin wire surrounded by glass. The current flows from the power supply through the fuse before it reaches the live wire. The thin wire is designed to carry a certain amount of electricity. If the electricity flowing from the power supply exceeds the capacity of the thin wire, it will melt.
That sounds like a bad thing but it is actually good because it will break the circuit. The current will stop flowing. This will prevent dangerous quantities of electricity from reaching the appliances and devices attached to the extension cord.
What Fuse To Use In An Extension Lead?
If you have a 240V supply in your area and you want to use a 2500 watt kettle, dividing 2500 watts by 240 volts will give you roughly 10.5 amps. You need a fuse that exceeds 10.5 amps, that is to say, a 13 Amp fuse. Most people in residential settings use 3, 5, or 13 Amp fuses.
Bright Spark Electrical Services doesn’t expect you to use anything larger than a 3 Amp fuse for lightbulbs, even if they have the maximum wattage.
The size of the fuse will depend on the amount of power you want the extension lead to carry. The extension cord fuse can’t be too small. It will blow whenever you attach a heavy-duty item even if the current is within safe levels.
On the other hand, an extension cord fuse that is too big is just as bad because it won’t offer the protection you need. A large fuse will permit dangerous levels of current to pass through without blowing.
This is why you have to match the fuse to the appliances you want to use.
Can An Extension Cord Blow A Fuse?
An extension cord fuse can blow when you force the extension cord to power a heavy-duty appliance whose electrical needs exceed the rating of the fuse. The same thing can happen when you attach too many appliances to the extension cord.
Will An Extension Cord Work Even If The Fuse Is Blown?
The extension cord won’t work. This is because the circuit was broken when the fuse blew. The extension cord will remain inoperable until you replace the fuse.
Reasons Why Extension Cord/Power Strip Is Blowing The Fuse?
If the fuse in your extension cord or power strip keeps blowing, you can blame one of the following factors:
1). Overload
The fuse is designed to carry a certain amount of current. If you keep attaching appliances whose power requirements exceed the limit of the fuse, it will blow. This can happen because you attached a powerful appliance or too many appliances.
2). Short Circuit
A short circuit is dangerous because it can lower the resistance, allowing the electricity to flow unimpeded. In other words, the flow of current will suddenly increase. This can overload the fuse. A ground fault can produce similar results. It will reduce the resistance allowing the flow of electricity to suddenly spike.
3). Wrong Fuse
In some cases, the fuse in a power strip keeps blowing because the consumer bought the wrong fuse. You see this in settings where the original fuse blew and the consumer was forced to buy a replacement. If the fuses they keep buying have a lower amperage than the appliances they want to use, the fuses will keep blowing.
How Do You Know If There Is A Blown Fuse?
- The fuse consists of a thin wire surrounding by a glass shell. In most cases, you can see the thin wire through the glass. If the fuse is blown, you can see a gap in the wire.
- In many situations, when the wire burns or melts, the vaporized metal will smear the glass.
- If you cannot see the wire because of the black or brown deposit on the glass, you can conclude that the fuse has blown.
How To fix A Fuse That Keeps Blowing?
If the fuse is blown, you must replace it. You cannot fix a blown fuse.
How To Prevent Blowing A Fuse?
You have to ensure that the extension cord fuse you have purchased is suitable for the appliances you want to use. It should have a greater capacity than the amperage rating of the appliance you want to power. The only way to prevent overloading is to calculate the total rating of all the appliances you will attach to the extension cord.
If their total rating exceeds the rating of the fuse, you can either get a more powerful extension cord with a larger fuse or you can ensure that you only use those appliances one at a time.
You should also inspect the extension cord and the appliances attached to it to ensure that they do not have any cuts, burns, or signs of wear, tear, and damage that could result in a short circuit or arc fault.
How To Replace A Fuse In The Extension Cord?
Replacing an extension cord fuse is very easy. If you know where the fuse is located and you have the tools needed to access that location, turn the cap counterclockwise and remove the fuse. If you have a new fuse, slot it into place and turn it clockwise. It doesn’t take that much time or effort.