Is wrapping a 30 amp fuse in aluminum foil dangerous?

[gigoofy]

Well here's a weird question. I had a 30 amp fuse blow the other evening (for the oven), and when I went to replace it, I noticed that the old fuse was wrapped in aluminum foil.

Is this a good thing? Does it expand fuse life, or create a fire hazard?

I lived in the house for 2.5 years, and this is the qst time I've had to change this fuse. Any help/suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[JohnD]

fire hazard. stupid idea.

when you say "oven" I hope you mean "cooker"

you might consider changing the fuse for a miniature circuit breaker, which can be reset with a switch when it trips. no need for spare fuses.

what make is it?

 

[Chri5]

Consider fuse wire for what it is, it's wire of predetermined size which according to the size used will melt or pop when the electrical load going through it is too high.

Although alloy foil won't be as good as a conductor it will take current and you then have a fuse rated as the wire gauge + the foil.

So your 30 amp fuse (if it had been wired with 30 amp fuse wire) might now take a 40 amp load, something the wire on the circuit is not designed to handle.

This, as mentioned by JD could lead to risk of damage, over heating and even fire. The alloy could also burn, causing damage to the fuse holder and the cu / wiring around it.

Fuse wire is old hat (I'm not saying it's unsafe) and for convience, trip type MCB's can be fitted that plug in over the existing fuse carrier, this sort of thing

Under a £10 a unit and no need to hunt for fuse wire only to discover the wire size needed has gone, ever again.

I'd suggest a professional for the work and that a PIR (perodic inspection report) for the full property is carried out.

 

[gigoofy]

Ok, sounds like I was lucky to ask. I'll remove the fuse with the foil and replace it with a correct one. Anyone know someone in the Newmarket/Cambride/Bury St Edmunds area? (Postcode IP28)

Thanks all

 

[Adam_151]

As mentioned, its one of a number of dangerous dodges that idiots do when a fuse blows and they haven't got a replacement or it keeps blowing because they are overloading it

Others are things like bits of 6" nail instead of plug top fuses
Wire, paper clips or just the wrong fuse element in re-wireable carriers
And in countries where screw in fuses (think ES lampholder style thing) are common, then coins under the fuse!



All of which absolutly need to be avoided... and I'd check the rest of the fuses as well just incase

 

[Taylortwocities]

Ok, sounds like I was lucky to ask. I'll remove the fuse with the foil and replace it with a correct one. Anyone know someone in the Newmarket/Cambride/Bury St Edmunds area? (Postcode IP28)

Thanks all

Turn off the main switch on your fuseboard before messing around with fuses/foil. A sticking out bit of foil will be LIVE!

To find a registered spark go to www.competentperson.co.uk and type in your postcode.