The list of improper modifications that can be made is very long. Test the circuit breaker with a voltage tester to see if it’s faulty. DO NOT use a new fuse with a higher rating - this could damage your home's wiring or cause a fire! The ohm meter can check fuses, old incandescent light bulbs, etc. The number of actual blown fuses in this country is becoming fewer and fewer as people continue to have their old fuse boxes replaced by new electrical panels 200-amp service, and circuit breakers. Insert the two test leads into the meter, and then turn the dial on the ohmmeter to ohms. Before you test the fuse, you need to know what it is about. Placing the fuse or fuse in the fuse holder on a non-conductive surface, and touch a probe to each end. Cartridge fuses have these points at the ends of their body. I have an old fuse box that blew a fuse and I am not sure how to replace it. How to Work with Old Electrical Wiring: Repairing Old Electrical Wiring, Old Electrical Wiring Problems. If the breaker is faulty, you’ll need to replace it. Double-check your ground connection if all the fuses read "0" volts to ground. It will require a good battery. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website. You have to keep the electrical current […] The outter two are clear. If there is no power to one fuse but all the others are functional, the problem lies with the fuse block itself. Fuses 2 & 3 are “double taped” (two conductors from one fuse). Smaller and newer buildings have the cylindrical fuse which has some sensitive links at its ends, wrapped with copper or any other type of conducting material. (The battery may come with the meter). There are two basic types of cartridge fuses available, so it all depends on the age and size of the house. With glass fuses place the red test lead tip on the silver-colored end caps to check them. It has a row of 4 edison screw type fuses. How to use the ohmmeter? The voltage tester will indicate if the breaker is getting power. The middle 2 are red and say "time delay fuse 20Amp." I Cant find a fuse box issue related to this issue. Remove the fuse to test from the panel completely. In short, any older system is typically less safe than a newer system and most fuse systems are very old. Fuse box with four branch circuit fuses, range pull out on the right, main pull out on left. They may be tested without removing them from the fuse holder. POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about old house wiring, knob & tube, old fuse panels, old house wiring condition & safety InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. All fuses must have a way for electricity to enter and exit. Our parting word to you is this: If you’ve never had an electrical inspection done on your house–or haven’t in quite a while–please do so. Recognize the fact that a house with a fuse box has electrical components that are more than half a century old. Safety first! 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