Embarrassingly basic fusebox problem

[NJOK]

All the overhead lights have tripped in my house. In other places I've lived, I'd go to the fusebox and see that one of the switches has flicked off and I'd turn it back on again. My new flat has a different type of fusebox. There's only one main switch (which is on) and four or five coloured fuse things (fuseplugs?). They look like rectangular plugs and can be removed with a tug to reveal two prongs on the other side. I've no idea which one is at fault or what to do if I did?

Can anyone help?

[commoner]

..mmm....firstly have you any idea why the lights fused?...if the cause is still there then it will be a waste of time to repair the fuse...........if you know why and have repaired the fault then this page deals with various types of fuse and how to replace them..........

............no need to remind you that electricity is dangerous, but I will anyway.......good luck .....commoner

[commoner]

....sorry...NJOK ...here's the link..........

http://www.diynot.com/pages/el/el009.php

[jon1968]

Doh, I've just answered this somewhere else - and this is a much better answer !!!

[Lonnie]

This actually sounds like a wiring proble other than fuse, it'd be to technical for me to go into now, but its worth getting someone in to have a look, cheaper in the long run.

[stanleyman]

The plug in things are fuses, usually 5 amp white for lighting, 15 amp blue for immersion, 30 amp red for ring main, 45 amp green for cooker/shower. The fuse will blow if there is a fault in the circuit in your case this is the 5 amp lighting.

To isolate and identify any faultly light, switch off the main switch, rewire the fuse with the correct fuse wire (5amp), this is obtainable from hardware shops etc. on a cardboard reel with the different sizes, there may be some near the consumer unit.

Switch off all the lights, replace the fuse, switch on the main switch, Try each light in turn, hopefully this will turn out to be just a blown bulb but if the fuse blows on a particular light then there is a fault that will need dealing with. If this happens you can renew the fuse leaving the faulty light switched off until the fault is rectified.

[raysparx]

This is quite an old system and although the fault is probably a short circuit in one of the light fittings,the safest way to check what is wrong is first of all make sure each light switch is in the OFF position repair the fuse with correct amperage fusewire 5 amp for lighting the wire threads through two little holes and tightens onto the little brass scews do not pull wire to tightly otherwise it will snap TURN OFF main switch replace fuse and turn on switch again then try each light in turn

if one of the lights blows the fuse again you will know what one it is ,it will go with a small bang you can then isolate the problem light, if the system is as old as it sounds the chances are that the earthing isn't going to up to current regulations, so I would advise you to have the whole lot checked in the near future anyway. GOOD LUCK

[UsAndStuff]

It's not unusual for a bulb blowing to blow the fuse.
The Rectangular plugs you describe are the old style fuse's which use the fuse wire (it should normally be marked with white dots for 5amp), the fuse wire is supplied on a card with a few ratings, you need to replace yours with the 5a, quite an easy job.
Turn off your power at the fuse box.
Remove the corect fuse.
Underneath you'll see where the wire goes through, normally though a little 'pipe'
Poke the 5A fuse wire through this and at each end you'll see where the wire screws in, wrap a small amount of the wire clockwise behind the screw head and tighten, (just don't pull the wire tight initially as when you tighten the screws, you'll snap the wire.
Plug in the fuse, and switch the main power back on again.

Depending on where your fusebox is, you can get replacement fuses for these which are the style you're used to, where you can swich them back on. but these are bigger than the original fuse so the cover probably won't fit back on, but if it's out of sight, it's not a problem.

Screwfix sell them, have a look at

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=48030& ;ts=14211

They'll be available elsewhere, maybe in B&Q but I couldn't see them on their website.

Hope this helps

[NJOK]

A huge thanks to everyone. Used your advice. Problem solved.

I wouldn't have had a clue without this.

Cheers!