Changing a fuse...

clg86

Sorry if this is on the wrong section, I just need an answer...:o

A 10 amp fuse blew in the plug of a smoke machine (like a dj would use) but all I can find in shops to replace it are 3A, 5A and 13A. Can I use any of these or does it have to be a 10A?

It says 10A on the actual plug...

Bollotom

Don't put a higher rated fuse in. The idea of a fuse is to blow before the equipment can and 13A is quite a lot higher than 10A. If you have a Maplins in your area they'll stock what you require or you can get it online. In the short term you could use a 5A fuse.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/

Or

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLF10.html

shandypants5

Should really replace it with another 10 amp.
They are avaliable on line, just google "10a mains plug top fuse"

If it blew a 10 amp then it will blow a 5 amp.
If you use a 13 amp it may damage the appliance or possibly cause a fire if there is a fault with the item.

scheming_gypsy

what amperage do you actually need for a smoke machine? just because the plug says 10amp on it doesn't mean the smoke machine needs 10amp but the plug came with a 10amp fuse in it.

clg86

Thanks for the replies.

I have no idea about the actual smoke machine, we borrowed it to film a video and worked all day then blew at the last minute. It's just the plug that says 10 amp all over it...

I've rang Maplin, B&Q and all the super markets but nowhere seems to do a 10 amp.

Are they quite rare/old 10 amp fuses?

eamon

You need to go to an electrical merchant such as City Electrical Factors, Newey & Eyre, Edmundsons, Senate etc. Have a look in Yellow pages for merchants close to you. They will take cash and they are typically sold in packs of 10.

ziggyman99

Go to any electrical trade counter. They will have what you want. They are rarer than the more common sizes of 3, 5 and 13A.

clg86

Cheers!

Although I don't know what I'd do with 10 x 10A fuses if nothing but a smoke machine uses them... haha.

Thanks again.

paddyrg

10A suggests it is quite a chunky smoke machine - cheap domestic ones are a few hundred Watts upto maybe 2.5kW for a hefty commercial model.

Also, just to check, have you actually checked that the fuse inside actually is 10A, not 5A or 13A so you replace like with like?

esuhl

Is there a power rating on the smoke machine (measured in watts - e.g. 25W)?

The current used by the smoke machine (in amps) should be the power raing (in watts) divided by the voltage (~230V). Add on a bit in case of power fluctuations, and that's the sort of fuse you'll want.

For example, a 500W device operating at exactly 230V should draw about 2.2A, so a 3A fuse would probably be okay (at a guess - I'm not qualified in electrics/electronics!).

Fifer

esuhl wrote: »

Is there a power rating on the smoke machine (measured in watts - e.g. 25W)?

Not with a 10A fuse I hope!