Don't Confuse Your Fuses

All fuses and circuit breakers serve the same purpose. They protect electrical wiring from overheating and catching fire. They do this by breaking the flow of electricity if too much power passes through the circuit. This occurs if too many appliances are on a single circuit or a single appliance draws too much power.

Next time a fuse blows or a circuit is tripped don't be angry, be thankful you were protected from a potentially dangerous electrical fire. Find the overload and correct it. Then change the fuse or reset the breaker.

Safety tips for changing fuses

• Only change the fuses with a screw type base yourself. Cartridge-style fuses should only be changed by a qualified electrician.
• Only use fuses that carry the CSA mark.
• Always use a flashlight to change a fuse. Never use a candle.
• Before changing the fuse unplug all appliances on the overloaded circuit and turn off the main switch.
• Stand on a dry rug, rubber mat, heavy cardboard or other nonconductive surface. Never change a fuse while standing on a wet floor.
• Always use the proper size and type of fuse for a circuit.
• Never substitute a higher amp fuse or replace a fuse with a coin or other metal object. You may restore power but you will eliminate the protection a fuse is designed to provide.
• Screw the fuse tightly in place by hand. Check to ensure all other fuses are screwed tightly in place as well.
• Discard all fuses or circuit breakers that have been exposed to water.
• When resetting a breaker, push the handle all the way to OFF and then ON.