How to Change a Fuse in a UK Plug

Some electrical jobs around the home don’t require an electrician to help, and one of these jobs is changing a fuse in a UK plug. The fuse in a plug is important for safety because its purpose is to reduce the risk of a fire. If too much current flows through the fuse it will blow.

It only takes a few minutes to change, so your electrical device will be back up and running in no time. Watch our handy video and read on to see just how simple it is…

On a plug with a removable lid, start off by removing only the middle screw. Once you have removed the screw, you can remove the lid.

After separating the lid, locate the fuse and carefully remove it. It can sometimes be fiddly, so you may need to carefully use a small flat screw driver to do this.

Next, you need to replace the old fuse with a new one. New fuses are inexpensive and you’ll be able to pick some up from a local DIY shop.

Check the fuse rating of the electrical product and then make sure that you use a fuse which is appropriate for the product (usually either 3A, 5A or 13A). For instance, if the appliance requires a 13-amp fuse, make sure you are replacing it with another 13-amp fuse.

Using the correct fuse is really important – using the wrong fuse could result in overheating.

After you have checked you are using the correct fuse, push the new fuse into place, checking it is secure.

When you’re happy everything is secure, put the lid back on and screw it back into place.

Once you complete each of the steps, you’re done. Be sure to check that the new fuse is working correctly by testing that your device is working normally.

If the fuse blows again, there may be a problem with the socket or your device, and you may need to call a local electrician.

Some electrical products come with moulded plugs with a small fuse holder. To change the fuse in this type of plug, carefully pop out the holder with a screw driver, replace the old fuse with a new fuse (again, checking the fuse rating is appropriate to the electrical product) and then push the holder securely back into place.

If you don’t feel confident, or have a job that requires professional help, we’ll help you find a local electrician quickly and easily.