Simple Fuse Box Guide For Homeowners

Posted on | by The Bosworth Company

The fuse box is the catalyst for all the power coming into your home. Sometimes called the breaker panel, it operates as a switchboard for your lights, outlets, and appliances. In this post, we’ll tell you a little more about fuse boxes, and why they are so important to your home comfort!

GET FUSED

It’s important to understand the different types of fuse boxes. Here are a few ways to know what type your home has:

  • A traditional fuse box has disposable fuses that protect the circuit from overloading. Turning off a circuit actually involves removing the fuse. If the fuse itself blows or burns out, it will need to be replaced.
  • Breaker panels are in more modern homes, but are sometimes still called fuse boxes. Instead of using an actual fuse, circuits can be turned off or on by simply flipping a switch. Breaker panels are also set to automatically trip the circuit in the event of a power surge. Breakers can easily be reset following an outage.

PARTS

Let’s take a look at the parts of a fuse box you need to be familiar with.

  • The main switch allows you to turn off power for your entire home.
  • Residual current devices will cause the circuit to trip in the event of a power surge or other potential hazard.
  • The fuses are lined up side by side. You can identify a blown fuse if it appears melted or scorched. Fuses are easy to replace, but make sure you use an exact duplicate. Like with all electrical work though, we recommend hiring a professional to ensure the work is performed safely.
    • Common types of fuses:
      • Type-T
      • Type-S
      • Cartridge
  • Circuit breakers are the beauty of breaker panels. They should be clearly labeled with on/off switches. When a breaker trips, it will flip halfway in between off and on. To restart it, turn it all the way off, and then back on.

WORTH THE CALL

The Bosworth Company offers a  full line of electrical services, including work on fuse boxes. Whether you’re in the market for an upgrade to a breaker panel, or are having an issue with frequent tripping, our certified professionals can help. Make an appointment online, or call us today at (432) 570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.