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How to change the fuse in a plug: the right rating and when to stop

In short: Unplug the appliance, prise out the fuse holder with a small flat screwdriver, swap the old fuse for a new one of the same rating, push the holder back and test it. If the new fuse blows too, stop using the appliance.

Co-authored by Sonia Abu Bakar✓, MSc Botany

By 5 min readPublisher: Saadat Rafiq

Last updated: 31 October 2026References

Set preferred
Illustration of a woman at a wooden table using a small flat screwdriver to prise the fuse holder out of a white UK three-pin plug, with a table lamp beside herIllustration

At a glance

First
Switch off and unplug it (Wickes)
New fuse
Same rating as the old one (Electrical Safety First)
Lamps, TVs
Usually 3A (Electrical Safety First)
700 to 3000 W
13A (Electrical Safety First)
Never
Wire or foil instead of a fuse (Wickes)
Time
About 5 minutes (our estimate)
Checked
October 2026

UK-style three-pin plugs (BS 1363) have a small fuse inside. When it blows, the appliance stops working although the socket is fine. Changing it takes a few minutes and a small screwdriver. Below, one example runs from a lamp that won't switch on to a lamp that works, with a drawing for every step.

Always unplug before you open a plug, and keep your hands dry and work on a dry surface (Wickes). If the plug is cracked, scorched or melted, don't change the fuse: stop using it (Electrical Safety First).

What does your plug look like?

A small slot or holder between the pins

Newer plug. Start at Part 1.

One big screw on the front, no holder

Older plug. Go to Part 2.

Lights or sockets across the house went off

Not a plug fuse. See resetting a tripped RCD.

Our example: Amira's lamp goes out

Every step below follows one story, and each drawing shows that exact moment. Amira's table lamp won't switch on. She tries a new bulb and a different socket, and it still doesn't work, so she changes the fuse in its plug.

Part 1: Change the fuse in a newer plug

  1. Switch off and unplug it.

    Illustration close-up of a hand pulling a white UK three-pin plug out of a wall socket, with the socket switch already off
    Illustration

    In our story: Amira flicks the socket switch off and pulls out the lamp's plug.

    Turn the appliance off at the socket and unplug it before you start (Wickes). Hold the plug, not the cable.

  2. Check the plug for damage.

    Illustration close-up of a white UK three-pin plug lying in an open palm, clean and undamaged, with a green tick
    Illustration

    In our story: The plug is clean, cool and uncracked, so Amira carries on.

    Look for melted plastic, a discoloured plug or cable, or burn marks (Electrical Safety First). If you see any, don't change the fuse: go to When to stop.

  3. Get a new fuse of the same rating.

    Illustration close-up of fingertips holding a new small cylindrical cartridge fuse next to the lamp's white plug on a wooden table
    Illustration

    In our story: The lamp's plug had a 3A fuse, so Amira takes a new 3A fuse from her drawer.

    Replace a fuse only with one of the same rating (Electrical Safety First). The rating is printed on the old fuse, and the appliance's label or manual tells you what it needs. As a general guide, lamps, TVs and computers take 3A, and appliances from 700 to 3000 watts, such as kettles, take 13A (Electrical Safety First). Some older equipment uses 5A.

  4. Prise out the fuse holder.

    Illustration close-up of a small flat screwdriver tip tilting up a small fuse holder from the pin side of a white UK plug
    Illustration

    In our story: Amira turns the plug pins-up and levers the little fuse holder out with the screwdriver tip.

    On newer plugs, use a small flat screwdriver to tilt the fuse holder up (Wickes). It sits between the pins and only lifts so far; don't pull it right off.

  5. Swap the fuse.

    Illustration close-up of fingertips clipping a new cartridge fuse into an open plug fuse holder, with the old fuse lying on the table
    Illustration

    In our story: She pops out the old fuse and clips the new one into the holder.

    Take out the old fuse and clip the new one into the holder (Wickes). Keep the old fuse apart from new ones so it doesn't get mixed up and used again.

  6. Push the holder back and test.

    Illustration of a table lamp glowing warmly on a side table, its white plug back in the wall socket, with a green tick
    Illustration

    In our story: Amira snaps the holder shut, plugs the lamp in, switches on, and it lights.

    Push the holder back until it sits flush, plug in and test it (Wickes). If it still doesn't work, see If something goes wrong.

Part 2: An older plug with a screw on the front

  1. Unscrew the cover and swap the fuse inside.

    Illustration close-up of a small screwdriver undoing the cover screw on the back of an older white UK plug
    Illustration

    What if Amira's lamp had an older plug? She'd undo the big screw, lift off the cover, swap the fuse in its clips, then screw the cover back on.

    On older plugs, undo the cover screw with a cross-head screwdriver, swap the fuse in its holder, refit the cover and screw it tight (Wickes). Don't touch the wires. If a sealed plug won't open, don't force it; replace the plug or have it done for you (Wickes).

When to stop

  1. Don't use a damaged plug.

    Illustration close-up of a white UK plug with brown scorch marks around one pin, crossed out with a blue line
    Illustration

    What if Amira's plug had been scorched? She'd stop and not use the lamp until the plug or lamp was repaired or replaced.

    Don't ignore burn marks, buzzing or crackling sounds, or fuses that keep blowing (Electrical Safety First). Unplug it and contact the retailer, manufacturer or a qualified repair technician.

  2. Never use wire or foil instead of a fuse.

    Illustration close-up of a strip of kitchen foil next to an open plug fuse holder, crossed out with a blue line
    Illustration

    What if Amira had no spare fuse? She'd leave the lamp unplugged until she could buy one, never foil.

    Never replace a fuse with wire or foil (Wickes). Spare 3A and 13A fuses are cheap; keeping a few in a drawer saves the temptation.

How to tell it worked

  • The appliance works when you plug it in and switch on.
  • The fuse holder sits flush, with nothing loose.
  • The plug stays cool while the appliance runs.

If something goes wrong

What happensLikely causeWhat to do
New fuse blows at onceA fault in the appliance (Electrical Safety First)Stop using it; contact the retailer, maker or a repair technician
Still doesn't work, fuse is fineFault in the appliance or the socketTry another socket; if it still fails, get it repaired (our advice)
Plug gets warm in useLoose connection or wrong fuseUnplug it and have it checked (our advice)
Fuse holder won't closeFuse the wrong size or not clipped inCheck it's a standard plug fuse and seated in both clips (our advice)
Several things went off at onceA breaker or RCD has tripped, not a plug fuseSee resetting a tripped RCD

Electrical Safety First also advises having your home's electrics inspected by a registered electrician at least every 10 years if you own your home.

Related: How to reset a tripped RCD.

Questions readers ask

Which fuse does my appliance need?

Check the appliance's rating label or its manual. As a general guide, Electrical Safety First says appliances rated 700 to 3000 watts take a 13A fuse; lamps, TVs and computers usually take 3A. If you're not sure, check the manufacturer's instructions.

Can I put a 13A fuse in instead of a 3A?

No. Electrical Safety First says to replace a fuse only with another of the same rating.

Why does the fuse keep blowing?

A fuse blows because of an overload or a fault (Electrical Safety First). If a new fuse blows again, stop using the appliance and contact the retailer, manufacturer or a qualified repair technician.

How do I know a fuse is blown?

You usually can't tell by looking, because most plug fuses are sealed. The simplest check is to fit a new fuse of the same rating and see if the appliance works.

Can I use a piece of wire or foil instead?

Never. Wickes warns never to replace a fuse with wire or foil. The fuse is what stops a fault from overheating the cable.

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