What is the purpose of a “13 amp fuse” in a plug?
It’s purpose is to limit the amount of ‘current’ to a maximum of 13 amperes, beyond which, the fuse will fail. This way, it prevents overloading the circuit, or the equipment. It is quite amazing though, how many people have the wrong fuse installed! Always check the required fuse (in the equipment’s handbook) and never use a ‘stronger’ fuse than recommended. Commonly, people will put in a 13 amp fuse just because it’s a 13 amp plug! The idea is to use a fuse rated to suit the equipment, and thereby protect it from overload damage. Table lamps and radios typically use a 3 amp fuse. HiFi and TV equipment, typically, 5 amp. Kettle, microwave oven and toaster, typically, 13 amp. Different rated fuses fail at different current loadings, and in a fault condition, a 13 amp fuse in circuit with a device requiring say, a 3 amp fuse, would most likely result in the device being severely damaged or even cause a fire because the internal components of the device will fail at a lower current than
