Appliances are crucial to many aspects of modern life. One thing that most appliances have in common is that they require electricity to operate. When you plug in an appliance, you'll sometimes be met with a blown fuse. If this happens multiple times in a row, it's important to stop and evaluate the situation. Here are a few steps you need to take if you have to replace multiple fuses when trying to plug in an appliance.
Stop What You're Doing
Dealing with blown fuses can be frustrating. In some cases, you may be tempted to try and push through the problem by continuing to do what you've already been doing. However, continuing to plug in your appliance when fuses are blowing is a recipe for trouble. That's why it's important to immediately stop what you're doing so that you can take stock of the situation with a clear head. Continuing to take the same action will lead to wasted fuses, potential appliance damage, and an increased fire risk.
Check for Shorts
One thing to check if fuses continue to blow is the electrical cord on the appliance. It should be in good working order with no nicks, exposed wires, or corroded prongs. If possible, you'll also want to check the other electrical components of the appliance to make sure they're undamaged. If you notice something unusual about one of the electrical components, it could be that this component is causing a short, resulting in the multiple blown fuses you've experienced.
Check the Circuit
Another item every electrical contractor will say that you definitely want to inspect if you're constantly blowing fuses is the circuit itself. Appliances can draw a lot of power. If they're on a circuit with other devices, they may overload the circuit and blow the fuse. Even if other devices aren't plugged into the same outlet as the appliance that's causing problems, there may still be other devices on the same circuit via other outlets. Overloading a circuit can cause the wires to overheat and lead to an electrical fire. This is why the fuse blows before this has a chance to happen.
Contact a Professional
If you've gone through the above steps and you're still having problems, don't hesitate to call a professional. Electrical repair work can quickly become overwhelming and dangerous if you don't know exactly what you're doing. By calling in a pro, you'll be able to get fast and safe results that will help you utilize your home's electrical system more effectively.
Moving Forward
Moving forward, it's important to consider ways that you might avoid electrical problems in the future. Aside from hiring an electrician to take care of any electrical upgrades, there are a few other things you can do. For example, you can opt for energy-efficient appliances so that you draw less power and put less strain on your home's electrical system. You can also carefully plan the placement of your appliances so that you can be sure they're operating on different circuits. With some advance planning, you'll be an appliance pro in no time.
