Aaargh - why is a stupid spaceheater making the fuses blow?!!

[Vonkhan]

Ok, bought a Lasko Oscilliating Ceramic Space Heater with a remote control for a room that has no built-in heating ...

after a few minutes of use, it blows the fuse of the house Had to reset the fuse for that part of house quite a few times no matter what I plugged/unplugged

Returned it, got a new one ... same flippin problem!!!

Any suggestions??

 

[FoBoT]

the circuit you are attaching it to doesn't have enough reserve capacity to power the heater, don't plug it into that circuit , plug it in somewhere else

is this a apartment? or house? the wiring may be screwy

 

[Vonkhan]

Its a house (rented) and its a bit old

 

[gsaldivar]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
the circuit you are attaching it to doesn't have enough reserve capacity to power the heater, don't plug it into that circuit , plug it in somewhere else

 

[Lovepig]

Try unplugging other things in that area. Alternatively, run an extention cord to a part of the house that isn't running as much electrical equipment. It's not a long-term solution, (that's running more electric wiring!), but it's better than freezing...

Goodluck!

 

[IGBT]

Turn off all the lights and other electric gizzmos and then go sit in front of the heater..mabe the fuses won't blow..

 

[kranky]

If you use an extension cord, make sure it's a heavy-duty one that is rated for the amount of current the space heater uses. Otherwise it can be a fire hazard.

 

[J0hnny]

First, check the wattage on the space heater. Divide the wattage by 120V and that will give you the current. Check to see if the fuse you have is rated above that current. If the fuse rating is lower, then that means

A) The fuse is correct and the house wiring cannot handle the current

B) The fuse is incorrect and the wiring could actually handle a higher current

If it is A, then you can't do anything about it except don't use the space heater. If it is B, just upgrade the fuse to a higher rating (but make sure what gauge wiring it is to prevent a fire)

I think it's A.

 

[Murphyrulez]

Quickest solution is to plug it into other sockets until you find one that doesn't have much of a load on it already....

 

[flot]

Space heaters draw a LOT of power.

If you are blowing circuits - hello - that's a sign that you're overloading them. That's why we have circuit breakers.

At the very least, plug it into a different outlet that is on a different circuit. If you continue to have problems, return this one and buy a smaller wattage space heater. The big ones can draw 1300-1800 watts. Try getting a 600-1000 watt model instead.

 

[KK]

Originally posted by: J0hnny
First, check the wattage on the space heater. Divide the wattage by 120V and that will give you the current. Check to see if the fuse you have is rated above that current. If the fuse rating is lower, then that means

A) The fuse is correct and the house wiring cannot handle the current

B) The fuse is incorrect and the wiring could actually handle a higher current

If it is A, then you can't do anything about it except don't use the space heater. If it is B, just upgrade the fuse to a higher rating (but make sure what gauge wiring it is to prevent a fire)

I think it's A.

LOL, stick a penny in the fuse slot instead of a fuse and see if the house burns down. Then you'll know for sure if its A or B.

KK

 

[CraigRT]

space heaters consume energy like wow.. that's why it's blowing fuses

put on a bout 15 100W lightbulbs, that's probably how much the space heater takes.

(some are more some are less) i have a space heater that's 1500 on low, and 2000 on high...that's a LOT of juice.

 

[element]

Originally posted by: J0hnny
First, check the wattage on the space heater. Divide the wattage by 120V and that will give you the current. Check to see if the fuse you have is rated above that current. If the fuse rating is lower, then that means

A) The fuse is correct and the house wiring cannot handle the current

B) The fuse is incorrect and the wiring could actually handle a higher current

If it is A, then you can't do anything about it except don't use the space heater. If it is B, just upgrade the fuse to a higher rating (but make sure what gauge wiring it is to prevent a fire)

I think it's A.

Actually, even if it is A, as you put it, you can do something about it. Change the wiring, breaker, and outlet to 20A. You'd better know what the hell you're doing if you do that though. And I'm not responsible if you @#$% it up and burn your house down.

 

[Eli]

No offense.. but.. are you really that dense?

You don't need to be operating a space heater if you have no concept of circuit breakers and why they are there.

Seriously.

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: element®

Originally posted by: J0hnny
First, check the wattage on the space heater. Divide the wattage by 120V and that will give you the current. Check to see if the fuse you have is rated above that current. If the fuse rating is lower, then that means

A) The fuse is correct and the house wiring cannot handle the current

B) The fuse is incorrect and the wiring could actually handle a higher current

If it is A, then you can't do anything about it except don't use the space heater. If it is B, just upgrade the fuse to a higher rating (but make sure what gauge wiring it is to prevent a fire)

I think it's A.

Actually, even if it is A, as you put it, you can do something about it. Change the wiring, breaker, and outlet to 20A. You'd better know what the hell you're doing if you do that though. And I'm not responsible if you @#$% it up and burn your house down.

/me hugs his massive bank of 100+ 20A breakers.

My house > Your house.

 

[Vonkhan]

ehhh ... thanks for the suggestions people. i tried unplugging everything in that room + adjoining rooms but the fuse keeps blowing! Gonna run to Lowe's and buy a couple of fuses w/ higher ratings.

Eli ..... maaaaaaaaaan, this is the first time I'm living in a house dorms all the way, baby!

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Vonkhan


ehhh ... thanks for the suggestions people. i tried unplugging everything in that room + adjoining rooms but the fuse keeps blowing! Gonna run to Lowe's and buy a couple of fuses w/ higher ratings.

Eli ..... maaaaaaaaaan, this is the first time I'm living in a house dorms all the way, baby!

NO!!!!!!!

Do NOT replace your breakers with higher rated ones. They are there for your PROTECTION.

The reason they are blowing is because the circuit is overloaded. When current passes through wires, they get hot. If too much current passes through them, they can cause a fire.

The reason we have 15A breakers is because that is what the gauge of wire running through your walls is specified to be able to carry.

If you replace your breakers, I will have no sympathy when your next thread is "My house just burned down..."

If you really want to resolve this, PLEASE call a licensed electrician before you kill yourself, or someone else.

Be ready to shell out the $$.

 

[Murphyrulez]

I'm waiting for his next thread:

OMG MY HOUSE IS ON FIRE!! WHAT DO I DO!!

 

[Papagayo]

Either that or we'll see Vonkhan on the next Darwin winner list..

 

[woowoo]

Originally posted by: Vonkhan
Had to reset the fuse for that part of house quite a few times no matter what I plugged/unplugged

Never reset a fuse before........

 

[kranky]

HOLY CRAP!
Where did you get the idea to use fuses with higher ratings? NO! NO! NO! See what Eli wrote - you could burn down your house!

And if it isn't your house, you could find yourself in serious legal trouble besides having everything you own burnt to a crisp.

 

[Conky]

Most of those small heaters use the wattage of a hairdryer... very inefficient but they do work.

My brother insists on using one of those stupid things and he blows the fuse about once a week during the winter... usually during a critical download or install.

It never occurs to him that drinking 5 ice cold beers an hour might be making him cold.

 

[DrPizza]

Take back the ceramic heater....

purchase a kerosene heater.... problem solved.

 

[Eli]

Is he still alive? :Q

 

[FoBoT]

he burned up or froze to death