Outage Map
Although many homes today have circuit breakers, some older homes may still use an old-fashioned fuse box. If your home has a fuse box, keep these cautions in mind to avoid accidents, fires, or other problems:
- Never use a penny to replace a blown fuse! Fuses are designed to offer protection against short circuits and fires; pennies aren’t. Keep a good supply of the fuses your home needs on hand so you’re not left in the dark.
- Turn off all the appliances on a circuit before you change the fuse for that circuit, and be sure to open the main fuse. If you don’t take these steps you could receive a serious shock.
- Never change a fuse in the dark! Use a flashlight to help you see what you’re doing.
- Don’t stand in the rain, a puddle, or on a wet surface when changing a fuse, and be sure your hands are dry, too.
- Use the right fuse for the right circuit. Most lighting and basic outlet circuits require 15 amp fuses; circuits that supply power to larger appliances, such as dryers and electric stoves, will require fuses rated at a higher amperage.
- Fuses marked with a “P” or a “D” are designed to fail if the panel overheats, to reduce the likelihood of a fire in the fuse box. Don’t replace these with ordinary fuses. The D fuse is used for circuits with appliances that have electric motors; P fuses are for circuits with appliances that generate heat but aren’t motorized.
- Make sure you always screw fuses in tightly.