Fuse differences

[John Kelly]

The lighting circuit fuse in my fuse box went. I had a spare 5 amp fuse=20 so I put it in - it all works fine. However looking in B&Q I noticed=20 that the fuse box fuse they were selling was =A32.98 or something whereas= =20 they were selling "normal" fuses 5 for 99p. Am I missing somethig here?=20 What's the difference?

Thanks

--=20 John Kelly

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[Nigel Molesworth]

Size?

[Tim S]

Hi

Plug top fuses are to BS1362.

CU cartridge fuses are more likely to BS1361, High Rupture Capacity (HRC).

I don't have access to the standards, but a quick google indicates that the breaking capacity of BS1362 is about 6kA and BS1361 is about 16.5kA.

So it depends whether you are on top of a substation or not, but you should replace your fuse with the correct one.

If the prospective fault current at the CU exceeds 6kA then in the event of a fault your fuse may explode, and secondly the fault may take out the service head fuse. If you're in a rural setting on the end of long bits of string on sticks it will generally make no real difference.

B&Q are ripping you off - Maplin:

79p

Cheers

Tim

[John Kelly]

Thanks for the link - a visit later I think.

Cheers.

--=20 John Kelly

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