Blown fuse.........help!

Meg017

Ok.............so I am not an idiot and I do know how to actually replace a blown fuse. My problem is that the fuse keeps blowing as soon as I replace it. My question is should I contact an electrician to replace the back part or is it an easy process? I do not want to get in over my head.

Thanks for all of your input. It looks like I will be calling an electrician in the morning. Thanks again for your help.

rgsgww

This is a more SERIOUS issue you may have here. What did you plug in that caused it to blow, what do you think caused it to blow? Unplug everything on that fuse and try again. If you don't have any success than you may need to call an electrician.

Billy_Bob

I see the weather is quite nippy in your area today (32/0).

Do you have any electric space heaters plugged in? New electric space heater? New appliances?

Meg017

We have unplugged everything in the room that is effected. We have turned off all the light swithches. I am at a loss. I know the back of where the fuse screws in needs to be replaced. I just dont want to do it if it is to complicated.

Meg017

Nothing new was plugged in. We are nots ure what actually caused it to blow. No space heaters or new appliances. It is in my daughters room. She doesnt even have a television in there.

InPhase277

Here's the thing: A FUSE BLOWS FOR A REASON! The problem isn't the fuse, and it isn't likely the fuse socket. The fuse socket may now be scorched in the back because of the short, but it still isn't likely the problem. You have developed a short somewhere. What is does this circuit power? Start opening switches and receptacles until you discover the problem.

Meg017

Does anyone know how much it would run to update the fuse box itself. I would like to replace the box itself.

Meg017

Ok. The fuse socket now needs to be replced also. Is that an easy task? I think I may be in over my head.

Meg017

The fuse is to my daughters room that has an alarm clock plugged in and that is it. If I took off the covers to the sockets how would I be able to tell where the short is?

220/221

Call someone.

InPhase277

Depends on what all has to be done. Usually this requires changing the entire service. I replaced a service outside and in on an old house two weeks ago that cost $2600. But those are northwest Alabama prices. Your milage may vary. Considerably.

Meg017

Holy cow!!!!!!!!!!! That is way out of my price range!!!!

Meg017

It is looking like that is the best answer. I can replacethermostats and ceiling fans, but this seems to be out of my comfort zone.

InPhase277

You probably won't be able to find a replacement part for that fuse panel. No one would stock such a thing anymore. Do you have an extra socket that isn't being used? Worse comes to worse, you may have to tie that circuit on with another room. After finding the problem, of course.

I would start by pulling all the switches and receptacles out and looking for obvious signs of trouble, like broken parts or burn marks in the boxes. The act of removing the devices may clear the short. You should really have a meter to check for continuity. If nothing is turned on or plugged in, then you should read nothing between the hot and neutral wires in the fuse box. Also, the power may come into the light in the room first, then go everywhere else. Overbaked insulation may have failed, causing the problem, so look there too. But, if you are uncomfortable with these kinds of repairs, call an electrician. NOT a handyman. NOT an HVAC guy. NOT a mechanic. A REAL electrician.

Meg017

Electrician it is! Thanks for your input. I thought if it was a easy as replacing the socket I would be able to handle it. Thanks again. I will be calling an ELECTRICIAN in the morning.