Fuse Box Safety
The first thing you need to know is where the fuse box is located in your apartment.
Fuse box safety. These boxes are responsible for interrupting electricity flow if there s an overload. Some people make the mistake. I am currently working on turning my van into a full time home and i m throwing the rule book out of the window. The most common protected branch circuit sizes are 15 amp awg 14 and 20 amp awg 12.
In residential wiring there are three wires. Fuse boxes are old electrical panels that use fuses instead of circuit breakers to protect your wires from becoming overloaded. Fuse box safety question. Fuses aren t inherently unsafe.
They work just like circuit breakers except they can t be reset and must be replaced. Afci breakers in all living areas. The first thing. A fuse box that has exceeded its life expectancy or hasn t been maintained properly can create a serious safety issue.
This causes a fuse to blow which lets us know there s a problem. Gfci outlets in all wet or outdoor areas. Since your electrical panel was installed new code requirements include. A black one for load from one of the 120 volt legs a white one which is neutral and a bare copper wire which is ground.
The fuse box might be safe and the home inspector might not have raised a stink about it but it s unlikely your new home can pass a real electrical inspection according to the national electrical code. When a fault or overload current flows through the fuse wire it will become hot and melt. If a fuse is rated for 15 amps and more than 15 amps passes through the fuse a thin strip of carefully calibrated metal will. Even though there s normally no current traveling through the ground wire it s a vital part of fuse box safety.
Proper plug fuse usage helps to avoid overheated wires and potential electrical fires. Plug fuses were commonly used for overcurrent protection prior to modern day circuit breakers. It s important to replace the bad fuses with another one of the same size. When a circuit draws too much electricity the fuse burns out and must be replaced.
The melted fuse breaks the circuit disconnecting the faulty circuit and keeping you safe. Here s how it works. Fuse box safety basics fuse box location.