How do I reset the circuit breaker??

BlackDragon · 26 Feb 2010 at 21:02

Hi guys,

While operating a rice cooker, the switch on the rice cooker decided to explode with lots of sparks and tripping the circuit breaker. As a result, the power plugs in the kitchen area have no power.

I'm having a little difficulty resetting it because there only appears to be one switch on the circuit breaker and it doesn't seem to do anything when I flick the switch. Any ideas how to reset this thing? Most fuse boxes I've encountered just involve flicking a single switch for a particular circuit, this one seems quite old and lacking such advanced features.

Much appreciated if someone can help so I can finish making my dinner with my other rice cooker.

Cyanide · 26 Feb 2010 at 21:04

could have blown the fuse, the green on the breaker makes it look like it's on

Jokester · 26 Feb 2010 at 21:04

Blown fuse on that circuit?

RDM · 26 Feb 2010 at 21:04

That looks like a fuse box rather than a circuit breaker box (from my limited electrical knowledge) so you may actually have to replace the fuse. It may even be old enough that you may have to replace the fuse wire.

Pinter75 · 26 Feb 2010 at 21:08

That is deffo an old fuse box. Inside of each of those holders is fuse wire and some terminals. You have to undo the terminals and insert new fuse wire.

The box on the right is an RCD. Can't tell if that is a separate circuit (do you have a shower?).

BlackDragon · 26 Feb 2010 at 21:11

Ok, so the fuse might be blown. I rooted around the cupboard and I found some spare fuses. Is this something I want to be doing myself or should I call out British Gas? I'm no electrician so I don't want to be causing a fire or something because I didn't fit it properly.

Also, any ideas how to figure out which fuse is blown?

Cyanide · 26 Feb 2010 at 21:17

It's an old box, if it is a fuse and not just wire I doubt it's a size you'll have in a drawer somewhere

BlackDragon · 26 Feb 2010 at 21:19

Cyanide said:
It's an old box, if it is a fuse and not just wire I doubt it's a size you'll have in a drawer somewhere

In the same cupboard as the fuse box, there is a pack fuses which are the same big red 30AMP ones in the fuse box, or at least appear to be.

mollymoo · 26 Feb 2010 at 21:20

You don't want fuses iirc you want a specific amperage fuse wire ( local diy store maybe ).

Switch mains off, unscrew the possibly bacalite cover remove burnt out fuse wire and replace with the new stuff put it all back together and switch on.

Edit Forget that it says replace with fuses on it doh

Pinter75 · 26 Feb 2010 at 21:23

To figure out which is blown. Hit that big switch to off. Use a torch and systematically pull out each one until you see a broken wire. It will have it's amperage marked on the out side.

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-change-a-fuse-in-a-traditional-fuse-box

BlackDragon · 26 Feb 2010 at 22:26

Just replaced it, thanks for your help guys

I'm now having my dinner, so we can all relax.