The board fuses in your meter box are on the same panel as the meter, either immediately above or below it. They provide 'overcurrent installation protection' (surge protection) and are managed and maintained by Western Power. Homes with single-phase power (240V domestic power) will only have one black fuse. Homes with three-phase power (415V domestic power) will have three black fuses.
Porcelain fuses are normal 'house' fuses and are usually white. These, together with the main switch and circuit breakers, may be located inside your house or premises, away from your meter box.
These fuses prevent excessive current from passing through a circuit. They only operate when an electrical overload or short-circuit occurs, protecting against fire or shock. The fuse consists of a piece of wire, which breaks the circuit by melting if the current exceeds a specified value.
Porcelain fuses are the customer's responsibility and should be installed by a licensed electrical contractor.
If lights or appliances stop working you should check your meter box to see if a fuse has 'blown'. You should turn off the main switch before pulling out the fuse for inspection. If a fuse continues to blow after it has been re-wired, please contact an electrical contractor immediately as there may be a problem with your wiring or an appliance you are using.
The main switch turns off all electricity supply to your home or premises. It may be located inside your house or premises, away from your meter box. This is known as a remote main switch and if Western Power disconnects the electricity for any reason we will not reconnect electricity unless the remote switch is turned off.
This switch is installed by a licensed electrical contractor and is the customer's responsibility. Any problems relating to the main switch should be immediately referred to an electrical contractor.
Circuit breakers serve the same function as fuses and are used as an alternative to fuses in many meter boxes. When the switch is in the 'up' position, it is on and electricity can flow. When the switch is in the 'down' position it is off and electricity can't flow. The circuit breaker will 'trip' to the down position when it detects a surge of power.
To reset the circuit breaker, simply move the switch to the 'up' position and your power should be restored.
If it continues to trip off, call a licensed electrical contractor immediately.
Three-phase dial meter with board fuses above the meter on the meter panel (left-hand side). The customer main switch and customer fuses are on the customer panel (right-hand side).
Three-phase electronic meter with the board fuses below on the meter panel (left-hand side). The customer main switch is on the customer panel (right- hand side) and the customer fuses are located inside the house.
Single-phase digital type meter with the board fuse below on the meter panel (left-hand side). The customer main switch and customer circuit breakers are on the customer panel (right-hand side).
Porcelain (white) fuses have different amperages. Lighting is usually 8 or 10 amps, while power points are 16 or 20 amps. These ratings are clearly shown on each fuse holder.
It is important that the fuse wire you use does NOT exceed the rating shown on the fuse holder. For instance, do not put 16 amp wire on an 8 amp fuse.
If your power goes off, first check the fuses in your meter box. Follow these steps to restore power:
Page update on 19 February 2007
