pc keeps blowing fuse

Tony Williams · 12 Sep 2006 at 22:58

Whenever there is a fault with the appliance the fuse will blow (if it's the recommended one) now if you use a fuse that is too low for the device it'll overload and blow easy, too easy. Now if the fuse is too high (eg, a 13a and not a 3a) it WONT blow because the fuse wire is too thick so it'll just set fire and do whatever. On the face of the plug it should, will state what amp to use. HTH.

split · 13 Sep 2006 at 01:14

Tony Williams said:
You should read the plug and check what the recommended ampage is, I use a 5a. You should NEVER under any circumstance need a 13a.

Yeah I would agree with you on that.

Just seems that most of the kettle leads come with 13amp, but a kettle needs it.
Seems strange how they have become like the default PC lead incl 13 amp fuse.

Corasik · 13 Sep 2006 at 02:15

Even a 3 amp fuse is ok for the large majority of PC's.

3amps @ 240v gives you 720 watts to play with. Assuming 80% PSU efficiency, thats enough to run a 576W PSU at full load. For PSUs 600W-1000W then a 5amp fuse is required if the PSU is fully loaded.

My own PC only draws around half an amp while web browsing, and up to an amp during intensive gaming sessions.

If you use the smallest fuse you can get away with, your giving your equipment the maximum level of protection. A PC with a 13amp fuse could easily end up on fire without even popping the fuse in the event of a componant failer.

Corasik · 13 Sep 2006 at 02:17

split said:
Yeah I would agree with you on that.

Just seems that most of the kettle leads come with 13amp, but a kettle needs it.
Seems strange how they have become like the default PC lead incl 13 amp fuse.

I've never seen an IEC cable supplied with a 13amp fuse. Mostly they seem to be 5Amp. IEC != Kettle lead. Most kettle sockets have a key on them which prevents a standard IEC (PC) mains cable from even fitting.

benjo plz. · 13 Sep 2006 at 13:02

Corasik said:
My own PC only draws around half an amp while web browsing, and up to an amp during intensive gaming sessions.

If you use the smallest fuse you can get away with, your giving your equipment the maximum level of protection. A PC with a 13amp fuse could easily end up on fire without even popping the fuse in the event of a componant failer.

Wouldn't the heaviest load be when you turn the computer on?

And I'd doubt your computer would end up on fire, the internal fuse would blow before it got to that stage...