If you have an older home plate , you may have a fuze box instead of a circuit breakers . Here ’s how to turn off the power .
When you ’re fix for any kind of electric work , the first ( and most important ) step is to turn off the mogul . Most modern homes have circuit breakers , but if your domicile is old , it may still swear on fusee . So if your domicile has a fuse boxful , observe these step - by - step instructions for turning off the power while keeping you and your mob safe .
How to Turn Off an Individual Fuse
At your fusee box , partially shut off power by unscrewing and remove a fuse . Test the gadget to verify the magnate is off before doing any work . If a electrical fuse has blown , exchange it with a raw one .
How to Turn Off Power to the Whole House
To turn off power to the entire house , pull up out the chief primer block , which expect like a rectangular block with a handgrip . It is usually situate at the top of the panel . Tug severely and directly out on the grip . Use cautiousness ; the metal character may be hot .
How to Check Fuses
A main block or 240 - volt circuit may have a fuse block that has cartridge fuses inside . get rid of an individual pickup fuse by get out it out from the holders . Test the fuse and , if necessary , supersede it .
What If a Fuse Blows Frequently?
When a fuzee blows often , it ’s tempting to replace it with one of a greater amperage . This is dangerous — house wires could cut up before the electrical fuse blow . Instead , take some of the load from the electric circuit .
The wire gauge in the lap settle how large a electrical fuse orcircuit breakerit can have . A 15 - amp tour should have 14 - gage or big wire ; a 20 - amp circuit , 12 - gauge or larger ; and a 30 - A circle , 10 - gauge or larger .
Checking the telegram gauge is light if you have nonmetal cable running into the box . canvass the overlayer for a stamped or printed identification , which let in the caliber . With armored overlayer or conduit , open a receptacle on the circuit . Check the insulating material on the wire for a gauge grading or compare it with a conducting wire of known gauge .
