The fuses are kept in a fuse box that is inside the car. Some vehicles have numerous fuse boxes that contain a wide variety of fuses. If something electrical in your car stops working all of a sudden, check the fuse box and then have a qualified mechanic look at it to find any electrical problems.
Even though we often think of fuses as annoying, they are a very important safety feature. Because they keep cars from breaking down from too much electricity, patients and staff are less likely to get an electric shock. A blown fuse is not only a minor inconvenience. It could be a sign that a real problem has come up, giving you the chance to find out what’s wrong and fix it before any major damage is done.
Fuses deteriorate over time and eventually stop working. In this article, we’ll show you how to change a fuse that has blown and may not necessarily indicate that there’s a problem with the apparatus.
If a fuse blows right away after you replace it, do not keep replacing it.
To service the equipment in these situations, contact a licensed biomedical equipment technician. A fuse is basically a short piece of wire with a certain diameter and composition that conducts current up to a certain level but melts or “fuses” if the current goes over that level. When it blows, it creates an open circuit, stopping the flow of current and shielding the system from harm.
The fuse wire is typically mounted inside a tiny glass or ceramic tube with metal end caps. The glass tube acts as a physical guard for the fuse, preventing damage or injury from being done by the molten metal when it blows. When the fuse blows, you can see it in a glass tube by looking for a gap in the wire or a metallic stain on the inside of the glass.
To check the fuses in your car, use one of the following methods:
- Visual inspection;
- Testing with a multimeter;
- Using a circuit tester.
Visual inspection
Check the continuity of the fusible element in a fuse in your car. Consequently, you need to change the fuse if the internal connector has melted. However, occasionally a blown fuse may have a wire that appears intact.
Testing with a multimeter
To begin with, you must switch your tester to continuity mode (the icon typically looks like a sound wave). Next, use the multimeter probes to make contact with both fuses’ contact pads. The tester will beep if the circuit is working properly.
Using a circuit tester
Any voltage tester or lamp with wires connected is a circuit tester. You must turn on a damaged circuit in order to check your fuse. One probe’s wire should first be connected to the battery’s (-) terminal. Next, use the wire of the second probe to touch one of the fuse’s contact pads. Utilize the second contact pad to repeat this action. The fusible element has melted if one fuse terminal has voltage while the other does not.
Replacing the fuse
When a damaged fuse is found, make sure to swap it out for one with the same type and amp rating.
- Tip: Fuses are available at any dealership, hardware store, or auto parts store.
You can save time and money by determining the damaged fuse’s location and replacing it on your own. But if a fuse keeps blowing or if some electrical parts stop working, you should get a certified mechanic to look at the electrical system, figure out why the fuse keeps blowing, and replace the fuse box or fuse for you.