Cars and homes which prevent the usage of modern circuits in electrical appliances use ceramic fuses. Sometimes before installing the fuse, it is mandatory to check whether they are working or not. We can test ceramic fuses with a multimeter. Even we can check the fuse without using a multimeter. In this context, we’re going to talk about how to test a ceramic fuse step by step.
Method 1: Steps involved in testing the fuse
Part 1 Learning about fuses and multimeters
Know fuses: What is a ceramic fuse?
Fuses are made up of just fragile wires, which are not supposed to be last for longer. Instead, they just prevent damage to the most costly things in homes.
If too much power is supplied to the circuit, which is not good for electrical appliances, the fuse will blow out, saving all the appliances at safety. Here is a description of the fuses. The cartridge fuse is a cylinder fuse. Read more, how to make ceramic decals.
It has been in used for many years. It is used in homes, from small devices to large ones. They contain metal contacts at the ends and the center. They have a tube that includes the fragile wire.
The blade fuse is the most common type of fuse. Blade fuse is in use for the past 20-30 years. They are being used convent into the bank, and relatively little space is required for them.
How does a multimeter works
An electrical millimeter is used to measure the different currents like AC, DC, and electrical resistance. Form testing the fuse, you can use the ohm.
A millimeter consists of positive and negative lead end. Millimeter contains its little battery. This battery is used to spread current through the circuit. And the measure of resistance tells about that how much current is being passed from the circuit currently. This is how a multimeter works.
Why do we need to test ceramic fuse?
Fuses tell about what is happening in the electrical circuits of a car or home. So the question is, why we test the fuse?
It is easy to examine the fuse only instead of examining the whole electrical appliances present in the home. It is easier to test fuse than testing each and everything. Other components involve complex wiring, which you may not familiar with. Also read, how to make ceramic beads?
Also, many circuits and car parts cannot be inspected at home; they must be examined at the repair shop. So testing with a millimeter is relatively easier and quicker to do. Many fuses give you visual confirmation that they are functioning correctly, and you do not need to open the fuse.
Part 2 TESTING THE FUSE:
Turn equipment off:
The first step in checking the fuse is turning the whole equipment and switching it off from the circuit.
It is necessary because, in case of any mishap, it will save the appliances from distortion. Taking fuse off from the circuit is the next step. This Is easy because there is no need for a screwdriver or any other electrical equipment to remove the fuse from the circuit. Nowadays, many fuses have a glass appearance from the outside.
Turn the meter on:
The next step is turning the meter on. This is done to check the continuity in the circuit. Meter is turned on, and it is pointed to a continuity setting. This setting looks like the five vertical curved lines.
Here is an important thing to check the working of the multimeter first. Both ends of wires are touched mutually, and the beep sound is observed. If it happens, then the meter is properly working.
In case you want to measure the resistance, use the multimeter setting that has the omega symbol.
Checking the fuse
This is the prime step of checking the fuse. Both ends of leads are placed on the ends of the fuse, and reading is observed. This step doesn’t require any professional person to perform because the fuse consists of a simple wire with no complex part.
Any person with basic knowledge can check it out. Also, it doesn’t matter which side receives the positive end and which end receives the negative end.
Test the ceramic fuse
The fuse is tested carefully. When both ends of the wire have been attached, now listen carefully to the sound of a beep. This sound should come continuously from the multimeter. This shows that fuse is properly working.
If you hear no sound from the multimeter, it has malfunctioned. This fuse needs to be replaced immediately.
In case you are using the digital multimeter, follow these steps to check the working of the fuse.
Touch both probes of the digital multimeter together to check the reading on the digital multimeter.
Note that reading and write it down. Now place both probes at the ends of the fuse and check the reading on the digital meter once again. If the reading is similar to the note before, then the fuse is working. If you get “OL” on screen, it implies that the fuse needs to be replaced with a new one.
And in case reading on the screen in “open” or “Not complete” means the fuse is broken.
Method 2: Test the ceramic fuse without a multimeter
A finger-safe terminal with the correct voltage bulb is always a safe method to check the ceramics fuse’s configuration.
It should be assured first that there is no makeshift wire touching the metal surface that could bring some harm to you or can cause the circuit explosion. Now, place one wire on the neutral side and one wire on the fuse’s load side.
Both cables have a small interconnected bulb that will glow, noticing the voltage. On placing the wires on both sides, the bulb will pop up if there will be some voltage. If there is even nominal voltage coming via wires, the bulb will be lit up.
If no such thing happens, you need to replace the fuse quickly, as it malfunctions. This test also differentiates between ghost reading and real reading. This is standard criteria to check in case you don’t have any access to a solenoid type meter.
