What is the difference between 3amp and 13amp fuse?

Answer 1

If the fuse thsat has blown is a 3 amp, you should only replace it with a 3 amp fuse, which is good for appliances up to 700 watts (In the UK, on 240 volts). Do not replace a 3 amp fuse with a 13 amp fuse, it gives much less protection. If you replace a 13 amp fuse with a 3 amp fuse, the 3 amp will likely blow, since the 13 amp fuse should be protecting a powerful appliance such as a heater, between 2000 watts and 3000 watts.

Answer 2

3 amp and 13 amp are the preferred current ratings of domestic plug fuses used in the UK. These fuses are designed to meet British Standard BS1362. The numbers 3 and 13 refer to the current rating of the fuse and define the nominal current that the fuse will carry indefinitely without operating (blowing). 3A fuses are generally found in the plugs of low power consuming equipment such as table lamps and radios. 13A fuses are generally found in the plugs of high power consuming equipment such as electric heaters and kettles. Intermediate current ratings of 5A, 7A and 10A are also available.

Answer 3

The '13 A' in the expression '13-A plug' refers to the current rating of the plug itself, not the fuse fitted inside it. The fuse selected must always match the appliance which the plug is supplying. So, yes, you can use a 3-A fuse in a plug, providing it matches the rating of the appliance it is intended to protect -i.e. loads that draw a current of up to 3 A.

Answer 4

For a temporary fix until you purchase the proper size fuse, yes. Always re-fuse equipment with the size that the equipment manufacturer recommends. This will prevent any warranty issues that may come up in the future.