Microwave oven and fuses

[EmperorIQ]

I am trying to replace a microwave oven fuse , ceramic 18A 250V. I went to radio shack and all they had were 15A and 20A. The guy at radio shack said that it doesn't matter, 20A isn't that big of a difference from 18A, but i decided not to listen to him. So far most stores only have 15A and 20A. Does anyone know if i can use a 20A, or should I just keep searching?

Thanks

 

[conjur]

Tried a hardware store? Check out Home Depot or Lowe's or what-have-you.

 

[bmacd]

personally, i would have popped in the 20a.

-=bmacd=-

 

[EmperorIQ]

i tried ace hardware, i'll try home depot this weekend, so for sure though, i SHOULD NOT use anything else but 18A 250V, right?

 

[TitanDiddly]

Don't use 20A, the engineers decided that 18A was the safe threshhold for a good reason. When replacinga fuse, always err on the *low* side.

 

[LTC8K6]

Have you corrected the cause of the blown fuse?

 

[EmperorIQ]

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
Have you corrected the cause of the blown fuse?

nope, should be a good idea to test the interlock switches, high voltage capacitor, or high voltage wiring, before i go buy the fuse.

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: EmperorIQ

Originally posted by: LTC8K6
Have you corrected the cause of the blown fuse?

nope, should be a good idea to test the interlock switches, high voltage capacitor, or high voltage wiring, before i go buy the fuse.

Make sure it's plugged in.

 

[LTC8K6]

A local appliance repair place ought to have that fuse.

 

[Beller0ph1]

Originally posted by: PhasmatisNox
Don't use 20A, the engineers decided that 18A was the safe threshhold for a good reason. When replacinga fuse, always err on the *low* side.

As a former Radio Shack employee, I understand how much you can trust the cell-phone-suggesting dish-shoving-up-arce salespeople to suggest electronic parts. The real answer is just as stated...always go with the lower of the amperage ratings.

 

[EmperorIQ]

thanks for all the suggestions! yes conjur it was plugged in, not now though. I'm thinking that i should bring this to a professional to check it out, but where is the fun in that? :frown: i'm gonna kill myself

 

[Bassyhead]

Originally posted by: EmperorIQ
thanks for all the suggestions! yes conjur it was plugged in, not now though. I'm thinking that i should bring this to a professional to check it out, but where is the fun in that? :frown: i'm gonna kill myself

good thinkin'

 

[woowoo]

Digi-key has lots of fuses