Materials you'll need:

• Replacement fuses
• Replacement fuse wire
OR
• Circuit breakers
• Dry wooden board.

Tools you'll need:

• Electrician's screwdriver
• Pliers or scissors.

When the power supply cuts out suddenly, if you are prepared the problem can be remedied very quickly. If you aren't, you could be groping around in the dark, lighting candies and cooking on a camp stove until daylight.

Usually when the power cuts out it is because a fuse has blown. This is a small porcelain shield, which carries a short length of special fuse wire. If anything goes wrong, the fuse is designed to burn out and cut off the electricity supply before a fire can occur.

A fuse doesn't just "blow". There is always a reason and you should try to find the cause, especially if the replacement fuse also blows within a short time.

A fuse often blows when you switch on a light or appliance. There may be a slight crackle or "plop" sound, or even sparks, and the appliance or light won't work. If it is a light, first check that the bulb is working. If several lights or appliances are "out" then a fuse is at fault. Most fuse boxes are located near the front door where the meters are. The home units fuses are usually in a kitchen cupboard. Locate and familiarize yourself with them before you need to and you will save time and frustration later. Keep a set of tools handy for changing fuses. You will need an electrician's screwdriver, cutting pliers or scissors, and a torch since most fuses tend to blow at night or in winter when more lights and appliances are turned on at the same time.

Here is how to change a fuse:

1. Turn the master switch to OFF so all the power is turned off to the house.

2. Stand on a dry board and locate the fuse, which has blown. Look for the numbers on the fuses. 8 amps are for lights and 15 amps for power points. Pull the fuse plugs out of their sockets one at a time until you locate one with a broken wire.

3. Undo the screw on each end of the fuse plug and remove the old wire.

4. Cut a new length of wire the same capacity as the old one (8 or 15 amps) making it long enough to pass through the fuse plug and wind around each of the screws. Tighten the screws with the screwdriver.

5. Push the fuse plug back into its socket and turn the master switch back on.

6. To save time BEFORE your next emergency, purchase two new fuses to fit your fuse box. Fit one with 8 amp wire and the other with 15 amp wire. When a fuse blows, simply pop the appropriate spare into the socket and repair the damaged one later. Alternatively, have your fuse box fitted with circuit breakers, which automatically disconnect the power when a fault occurs. After finding and fixing the fault, you simply reset the circuit breaker instead of having to rewire a fuse.

If a new fuse blows straight away you should call in a qualified electrician to check the cause Common causes of power failure are

• • Faulty wiring. If a fuse blows and you haven't switched on any extra appliances, the wiring should be inspected by an expert
• • Corroded fuse wire, usually in seaside homes. This should be obvious on visual inspection and can be fixed by replacing the wire.
• • Appliance faults, noticeable if a fuse blows after switching on a particular appliance. Have the appliance professionally checked. First try the appliance in a different power point. If it works OK there, try switching on the first power point with nothing plugged in. If the fuse blows, the power point is at fault. Call in a licensed electrician.

Overloading.
Each circuit is designed to carry a certain load. Turning on too many appliances at one power point will overload that circuit and cause the fuse to blow.

Remember, never touch anything until you turn off the master switch. Always use the right amp wire in a fuse and never work with wet hands or in the rain.