Last updated on August 14th, 2022 at 01:28 pm
Ever tried to toast bread, and then the toaster’s fuse got blown? Frustrating, right? You’re left stranded and have to look for another breakfast option. So, why exactly do toasters blow their fuses?
Overheating is the major reason why toasters blow their fuses. Electricity passes from the wall socket through the solenoid to activate the heating elements that toast the bread. Overheating occurs when bread particles remain in the heating elements; these particles obstruct the flow of electricity. The toaster begins to overheat, drawing excessive amps, which causes the fuse to blow.
Can a Toaster Oven Blow a Fuse?
A toaster oven can blow a fuse.
An average toaster oven utilizes about 12.5amps (though this may vary from brand to brand). Thus, a current excessively higher than this is capable of melting the toaster oven’s fuse. So, knowing the amp rating of your toaster would help you choose the most suitable fuse for it.
A fuse has to be 125% of the toaster’s amp rating. Furthermore, your toaster oven will blow up the fuse if you do not give it all the care and maintenance it requires.
Ensure to constantly clean and empty the crumb tray and run a few maintenance checks on the oven. These constant checks would help you detect any impending fall on the appliance.
Also, when a toaster blows a fuse, you may be able to rectify it yourself. But if you can’t, then invite a pro to come to take a look at it. However, most people would argue that getting a new toaster is less expensive than fixing a faulty one.
Luckily, toasters are inexpensive. You can find a toaster that fits into your budget. So, if your toaster has developed a nasty fault and you can’t seem to be able to mend it, you should consider tossing it out, especially if it is an old one.
In addition, it is recommended to use a dedicated circuit for a toaster oven, especially if you use it constantly. Toaster ovens draw a lot of electrical currents, and using them alongside other high voltage appliances could override the electrical system of your house, damaging the fuse in the process.
Where Is the Thermal Fuse in the Toaster Oven?
You can find the thermal fuse inside a Teflon mesh alongside the power on the left side of the toaster oven wall. It is a ceramic mini-compartment held in place with wires.
The primary function of a thermal fuse is to protect the main switch from damages caused by the passage of excessive current.
Notwithstanding, when a current that surpasses the resistivity of the fuse comes through, it may cause the fuse to melt and cause further damages to other components of the toaster oven.
Why Is My Toaster Oven Blowing its Fuse?
Besides overheating, there are other possible factors capable of causing the fuse of a toaster oven to melt. These factors include and are not limited to:
1. Damaged wires
Toaster wires are susceptible to electrical malfunction due to improper wiring or other internal faults from the toaster. Rodents are also capable of causing damage to the toaster ovens cables. When these damaged wires are plugged into the circuit, it may lead to power eruptions that blast the fuse.
A fault with your dedicated circuit The problem could also possibly be emanating from your wall outlet. You can confirm this by plugging another appliance into the electric outlet. However, this may be rife because the fault is really from the circuit; it can damage your other appliance as well.
2. Inadequate toaster maintenance
Failure to clean the toaster regularly will cause you to overlook some factors that can be harmful to your toaster. Inadequate maintenance can give rise to minor malfunctions, which can, over time, pose a more serious threat to both the toaster and the fuse.
3. Damaged circuit board
A damaged circuit board will keep blowing your fuse even after you replace the damaged one. If you notice that your fuse keeps blowing after short intervals, it is advisable to check out the condition of the circuit board; if there are any damaged parts, do well to get a new circuit board for your toaster.
4. Low quality
An item of lesser price is not as efficient as a more expensive one. The cheaper the toaster oven is, the more prone it is to malfunction. Moreover, toasters of a lower quality are more likely to quickly develop faults that can blow up a fuse.
4.Too many appliances
Combining other high voltage appliances with a toaster oven will cause a massive draw down on it. This is one of the main reasons why a toaster oven should have a dedicated circuit. The strain caused by the other appliances will eventually damage the fuse.
5. The fuse is not compatible with the toaster.
As stated earlier, the fuse for a toaster should be 125% of the toaster’s amperage. If the fuse installed in a toaster is less than the supposed amp capacity, it will not withstand the high electrical voltage, and eventually, it will melt or blow up.
The same applied to a circuit breaker. Suppose it is not compatible with a toaster. In that case, especially if it has a lesser-than-expected capacity, it will be incapable of preventing electrical overloads that can impair the toaster oven.
What Do I Do When the Toaster Oven’s Fuse is Damaged?
You can replace a thermal fuse. You can do it yourself without having to reach out to a professional. Follow this DIY procedure below to replace a damaged fuse:
- Unscrew the back panel of the toaster to gain access into the internal compartment.
- Dismantle the white fuse assembly bracket. To do this, you would have to unscrew two Philips brackets.
- The thermal fuse is just under the white plastic sheet. Carefully remove it, but be sure to note which end is stretched to the power cable and which end is attached to the on/off timer control.
- Fix in the new one in the exact position as the previous one.
- Proceed to reassemble the toaster.
- Test your new setup.
Replacing a spoilt fuse is easy. However, if the toaster continues to malfunction after the replacement, you will be left with two options; invite an electrician or ditch it entirely and get a new one.
Although, if the toaster oven is quite expensive, it would not be easy to toss it away just like that; the same applies if it has sentimental value to the owner.
Conclusion
A toaster oven may develop internal or external complications that cause it to malfunction. The effects of these malfunctions are sometimes mild and rectifiable; other times, you’d have no other option than to pack it away.
A toaster can blow its fuse if not assigned to a dedicated circuit. Other factors such as faulty internal and external components can as well cause its fuse to blow.