Lights gone, fuse might be blown and old fuse board

Super_Whiskey

So I'm currently in a rented place at the moment and I've got in from work, switched the lights on and they've gone with something of a bang! I've been on the phone to the LL's electrician however he's away at the moment and he said that with my fuse board that it's a very old one that might just need a bit of fuse wire in. However, I am not having any luck in getting the relevant part out to check so I was wondering how much force I might need to apply to do so?

This is a picture of the board:





Now, he's said it's the white one I need to get out but I'm not having much luck. Should I treat it like a printer cartridge almost and try and be forceful with it?

Risteard

The fuse should not be withdrawn or inserted with the main switch in the "ON" position.

Super_Whiskey

Okay. Should I do anything before switching it off and giving it a go?

Risteard

I can't really say what the cause of the "bang" is. If it was simply a lamp blowing then just replace the fusewire. If you suspect a wiring fault then have it checked before re-energising the circuit.

Super_Whiskey

Fair enough. If it's the fuse wire then the electrician said it'd be fairly easy to do. What I meant was whether I need to do anything to the electrics and electrical items in the flat before switching the main switch off?

Le_Kirk

If you mean the lights that hang from ceiling roses, then indeed the white spotted fuse is correct. If they are table lamps it will be one of the red spotted fuses. If the fuse went with a bang, it could be that the fuse blade has become welded into the clip (although an unlikely scenario) and, as has been written above, turn main switch off then pull fuse out perhaps with a slight up down wiggling motion. If in any doubt, call an electrician who will be able/qualified/competent to dismantle the fuse board.

Super_Whiskey

To be fair, I don't think it was the fuse that made the noise but the lightbulb itself. I've tried looking for fuse wire but it's like gold dust! B&Q, Homebase and supermarkets don't stock it at all.

ManuelG

Super_Whiskey wrote: »

To be fair, I don't think it was the fuse that made the noise but the lightbulb itself. I've tried looking for fuse wire but it's like gold dust! B&Q, Homebase and supermarkets don't stock it at all.

Eh?!?

http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/homebase-fuse-wire-set-091109

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Fuse-Wire-Pack-3/p/710136

Also check with WIlkos!

Super_Whiskey

I checked in my local homebase and I couldnt see any around the electricals bit yet it's showing 14 in stock on the website. I can't be bothered to go there again now so I'll try again tomorrow and see what I can find.

ManuelG

Super_Whiskey wrote: »

I checked in my local homebase and I couldnt see any around the electricals bit yet it's showing 14 in stock on the website. I can't be bothered to go there again now so I'll try again tomorrow and see what I can find.

Click and collect, let them find it for you.

Super_Whiskey

Done. Messaged the landlord any way so I'll pick this up tomorrow and give it a go and see how I get on!