Weird fuse deployment

[kingeri]

I was doing an EICR today on a bog standard terraced house, and as part of that was checking the fuse ratings in the boiler FCU etc. (always do this as often people can't be bothered to swap out the 13amp fuse). Anyway, found the boiler FCU was fitted with a 1amp fuse, a spur for a built-in computer desk area on the landing was fitted with a 7amp fuse, and a lighting spur in the loft was fitted with a 2amp fuse. The FCU on the landing for the towel rail in the bathroom was fitted with a 10amp fuse. Nothing actually wrong with the ratings as such, but I did find it decidedly non-standard. Anyone else seen this kind of thing?

 

[44ALLAN]

The fuse protects the cable....................what were their csa's?

 

[Dizzy_Maskell]

All kinds of cowboys get involved in stuff, I've found all types of sizes all over the place from standard 13,3,5 etc to the glass bodied 1.25 etc.
Think some people use what they can find if they ever blow.
Best I ever found was a paper clip sure it's been done loads but just outrageous to find it.
However if anyone knows the current carrying capacity of a paper clip please let me know

 

[44ALLAN]

How thick was it?

 

[kingeri]

Lady said the fuses have never been changed since installation. Just don't really see the point of using anything other than 3 or 13! Or occasionally 5. Sorry if nobody cares, just wondered if anyone could explain why this might have been done. It's almost as though someone has tried to match the fuse rating as closely as possible to the current draw expected.

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How thick was it?

How thick was what?

 

[44ALLAN]

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How thick was what?[/QUOTE]

However if anyone knows the current carrying capacity of a paper clip please let me know.

Selective reading or what?

 

[44ALLAN]

And....................

The fuse protects the cable....................what were their csa's?

or did you miss that as well?

 

[kingeri]

And....................

The fuse protects the cable....................what were their csa's?

or did you miss that as well?

Any reason why you're being a bell?

The CSAs of the cables were not an issue, they were adequately protected by the fuses. If anything, the fuses used were that bit lower in rating than what you'd normally use.

 

[44ALLAN]

Any reason why you're being a bell?

The CSAs of the cables were not an issue, they were adequately protected by the fuses. If anything, the fuses used were that bit lower in rating than what you'd normally use.

You started talking ****e I just joined in mate to keep you company!.
The csa's of the cables are an issue if they are rated 'less' than the ocpd............hence my question!!

If,as you now state,they are not an issue..............why ask in the first place?
Won't respond again.............good luck mate.

 

[kingeri]

I didn't ask anything about cable CSAs or even mention them (that was you), I was asking about the fuse ratings themselves and if anyone had encountered them.

Seems to me you are the one with 'selective reading' or at the very least some kind of attitude disorder.

 

[Kate]

Wow this thread got weird...

Nope ive never come across that
Only 3,5 and 13amp fuses

 

[44ALLAN]

I didn't ask anything about cable CSAs or even mention them (that was you), I was asking about the fuse ratings themselves and if anyone had encountered them.

I know you didn't but if you look 'outside the box' you'll see that as long as the fuse rating is below the ccc of the cable you'll probs be fine...........hence my question.
Which was................why be bothered about the fuse ratings if the cable ccc is ok.
The fuse protects the cable not the appliance.
But you know that already.

 

[Kate]

Ok third party stepping in from neutral side.

44allan u mention csa's first.

I think ops original statement/question is just whether anyone has come across non standard/uncommon fuses being used.

 

[kingeri]

I didn't ask anything about cable CSAs or even mention them (that was you), I was asking about the fuse ratings themselves and if anyone had encountered them.

I know you didn't but if you look 'outside the box' you'll see that as long as the fuse rating is below the ccc of the cable you'll probs be fine...........hence my question.
Which was................why be bothered about the fuse ratings if the cable ccc is ok.
The fuse protects the cable not the appliance.
But you know that already.

I know what you mean, but I was simply asking, out of general interest, if anyone has encountered 1, 2, 7 and 10 amp fuses in a domestic setting. Nothing more, nothing less. If, in your view, that is not an interesting topic, then feel free not to comment, but please don't have a go at me just for asking. I fully understand what fuses are for in a plugtop or FCU, and I understand the relationship between the CCC of the cable and the fuse rating, and that is not what I was asking about. If you read back, you did indeed seem to turn rather unpleasant for seemingly (to me at least) no reason.

Anyway, as the use of (to me) strange fuse ratings is seemingly of no interest to you, let's just leave it at that.

I apologise for any offence I have caused, and hope there are no hard feelings (there certainly aren't on my part).

Phew.

 

[44ALLAN]

If you read back, you did indeed seem to turn rather unpleasant for seemingly (to me at least) no reason.

Where?

 

[kingeri]

Lol, thanks Kate.

 

[kingeri]

If you read back, you did indeed seem to turn rather unpleasant for seemingly (to me at least) no reason.

Where?

Posts 6 and 7. Whilst not directly offensive, they have a tone that would turn milk sour. But, it's all water under the bridge now.

So, anyway, have you ever seen the fuses I mentioned?

 

[44ALLAN]

Ok third party stepping in from neutral side.

44allan u mention csa's first.

I think ops original statement/question is just whether anyone has come across non standard/uncommon fuses being used.

Hi Kate

Yes I did mention csa's of the cables in response to his opening post about fuse sizes.
Please read it again and tell me if you find any problems with the fuse sizes he mentioned and the circuits they were protecting.

Would you give advice on fuse sizes without knowing the csa of the cables they were protecting?
I wouldn't hence my question that has been blown...................blah blah

 

[44ALLAN]

Posts 6 and 7. Whilst not directly offensive, they have a tone that would turn milk sour. But, it's all water under the bridge now.

You'll find that was in response to post 3 by dizzy about the ccc of a paperclip in which i responded...........how thick is it?
Wasn't even talking to you mate hence my 'selective reading' tic (tongue in cheek) post
Nevamind though its obvious I misunderstood your post/question about fuse sizes so apologies if I've offended.

 

[Sintra]

Thank god for that all friends again

 

[kingeri]

allan,

I know I misunderstood your How Thick question.

Maybe we are both thick.

No offence caused my man, and I hope I haven't offended you either.

Was probably a boring subject anyway. At least you replied!!!! I am grateful for that!

 

[HandySparks]

Maybe the original electrician was just over thinking it a bit. The 'odd' sizes are readily available:

Plug Top Fuses - BS1362

 

[Engineer54]

For many years, only the 3A and 13A fuses were available. Then came the 5A and 10A, then it seems all sorts of ratings became available. Even seen 15A rating. Now whether any of these ratings other than the original 3A and 13A are officially BS recognised, i don't know?

I do know that only the 3A and 13A were ever shown in BS7671/Regs time/current tables...

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Lady said the fuses have never been changed since installation. Just don't really see the point of using anything other than 3 or 13! Or occasionally 5. Sorry if nobody cares, just wondered if anyone could explain why this might have been done. It's almost as though someone has tried to match the fuse rating as closely as possible to the current draw expected.

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How thick was what?

so....where would you maybe use a 5A then?...

 

[Kate]

Hi Kate

Yes I did mention csa's of the cables in response to his opening post about fuse sizes.
Please read it again and tell me if you find any problems with the fuse sizes he mentioned and the circuits they were protecting.

Would you give advice on fuse sizes without knowing the csa of the cables they were protecting?
I wouldn't hence my question that has been blown...................blah blah

I dont think there are issues with fuse sizes. And yea many things need considering to decide on fuse sizes.

I think this whole thread blew some fuses

I took the original post as a bit or boredom and conversation about uncommon fuses used rather than for advise.

maybe im con-fused???

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Ok third party stepping in from neutral side.

44allan u mention csa's first.

I think ops original statement/question is just whether anyone has come across non standard/uncommon fuses being used.

introducing fused neutrals....
hmm...well i must say i expected better from you Kate...i really did..

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

so....where would you maybe use a 5A then?...

5A and 10A fuses are mainly used in plug tops for IT equipment aren't they? I have used a 5a fuse in a house though when I have been short of a 3A fuse

 

[Knobhead]

For many years, only the 3A and 13A fuses were available. Then came the 5A and 10A, then it seems all sorts of ratings became available. Even seen 15A rating. Now whether any of these ratings other than the original 3A and 13A are officially BS recognised, i don't know?

I do know that only the 3A and 13A were ever shown in BS7671/Regs time/current tables...

1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10 & 13A have been available from my days as an apprentice. All to BS1362.

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Pretty much case closed, job done with that post Tony, time to move on to the next mis-understood blown out of proportion thread!

 

[Tuttle]

so....where would you maybe use a 5A then?...

I had a Saturday job in a TV shop when I was at school, about 30 years ago. One of my jobs was to fit plug tops to new TVs. I was told to fit 5A fuses for colour TVs and 3A fuses for B&W TVs. Apparently, 3A fuses for colour TVs had a habit of blowing.

So in answer to your question, I use 5A fuses in 30 year old colour TVs :teeth_smile:

 

[GLENNSPARK]

I had a Saturday job in a TV shop when I was at school, about 30 years ago. One of my jobs was to fit plug tops to new TVs. I was told to fit 5A fuses for colour TVs and 3A fuses for B&W TVs. Apparently, 3A fuses for colour TVs had a habit of blowing.

So in answer to your question, I use 5A fuses in 30 year old colour TVs :teeth_smile:

you would use a 5A fuse on an inductive load where a 3A fuse would be fitted if the load were not inductive....(inrush)...

 

[Kate]

introducing fused neutrals....
hmm...well i must say i expected better from you Kate...i really did..

Eh?? Was just letting them no im not on anyones side. neutral like switzerland (or sweden, some country beginning with s)

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Not domestic, but I sometimes use a smaller fuse than would be needed to protect the cable, on things that are likely to fail short such as large filament lamps or where damage is likely, to reduce the splash and to help discriminate (to a degree anyway) with upstream protection. E.g. a B20 stands a bit more of a chance of staying in vs. 7A cartridge than 13A. I have a 2A in my toolbox soldering iron etc for the same reason - if I mangle the flex I want the smallest bang possible but 1A have (or used to have) lower breaking capacity.

I only know one application that specifically asked for a 7A BS1362 fuse, which was a particular stage lighting dimmer from the 1980s that had plug-fuse-size holders. What used to puzzle people was that the circuits were rated for 2.5kW at 240V, they could never work out how the fuses survived. The idea was again to minimise the let-through when a lamp failed, to help stop the triac from blowing at the same time.

 

[SJD]

According to Wikipedia:

"When the BS1363 plug was first introduced, there were 5 fuses in the official BS1362 range which were (with their specified colour): 2 (blue), 5 (grey), 7 (black) 10 (yellow), and 13 (brown) amps. The 7 amp fuse was deleted from the official range fairly early on, though remained available for many years ..."

"The current version, BS1362:1973, allows any fuse rating up to 13A, with 3 amp (coloured red) and 13 amp (coloured brown) as the preferred (but not mandated) values when used in a plug. All other ratings are to be coloured black (this is why 5 amp fuses are now black instead of grey)."

 

[Richard Burns]

Vacuum cleaners often have five amp fuses.

 

[moospark]

Five amp plugs often have five amp fuses.

 

[44ALLAN]

Would a 1/2/3/7 or 10Amp fuse also suffice is the question if the cleaner has a 1.5mm flex?
Is the fuse there to stop the vacuum cleaner going on fire if it jams!!!

Double mars bar on offer now lol.