Do Range Hoods Have A Fuse?

Your range hood is appointed with one of the most important tasks in the kitchen, which is to get rid of smoke and grease. To execute this task, your range hood obviously needs electric power. With an electric connection, there are several things that you need to be careful about, with the fuse being one of them. Do range hoods have a fuse? Yes, range hoods do have a fuse, and for all the right reasons. In this read, we’ll be discussing everything you need to know about the fuse’s role in your range hood’s performance and safety.

What is a fuse in a range hood?

So, what exactly is a fuse and why does your range hood have it? A fuse is a small cylindrical device that comprises two pieces of metal separated by a wire. The fuse is connected to the circuit and lets current pass through the wire that is separated between two metal loops. Whenever the current overflow or exceeds a certain limit, the fuse wire will melt. Hence, putting a halt to the connection that was being supported by the fuse itself. To put it straight, the fuse stops the current in the circuit whenever there is an overload.

Is a fuse important in the range hood?

The fuse helps ensure the safety of your range hood and your house. It is a component that narrows down the risk of a fire caused by a circuit overload. A current overload in the circuit can be dangerous as there’s a high chance of spark and fire ignition. Though your range hood is directly connected with the circuit breaker, the fuse becomes an additional line of defense in the case of an overload. Almost all of the range hoods are connected to a fuse, so you don’t have to worry about adding the safety device by yourself.

Where is the fuse in the range hood?

The location of the fuse in your range hood may vary. It depends upon whether your range hood is hardwired or not. Generally, the fuse is located behind the range hood nearby the circuit breaker box where the main connection is. A typical fuse has a cylindrical shape with two ends made of metal joined by a wire in between. The main body of a fuse is mostly glass and the size of an average fuse is around a couple of inches max. If your range hood is in front of the fuse panel, you’ll have to remove it to access the fuse.

How to check if the fuse is broken or not in the range hood?

As we mentioned previously, the fuse disrupts the electrical connection by melting whenever there is an overload. This means that your range hood won’t be operating once the fuse is broken because the fuse has stopped letting electricity pass. To see whether the fuse is broken or not, you’ll have to look for the fuse itself first. Once you find it, look at the glass and see if it is discolored or not. A blown fuse will have its internal metal wire melted so you’ll find the glass to be burnt a bit or discolored.

You can also use a multimeter to check whether your fuse is providing continuous current or not. Simply connect the fuse to a multimeter and if you hear a beep sound, then it means that the fuse is working.

How to replace range hood fuse

If you find the fuse of your range hood to be blown and burnt, then it needs to be replaced. Take the blown fuse to a nearby electric or hardware shop and ask for a new fuse of the same type. It is necessary to get a fuse with the same amperage as the old one.  Once you have the new fuse, it is time to replace it. It is recommended to consult an electrician and have them replace the fuse. However, there’s nothing wrong with doing the task yourself either. All you need is basic knowledge about electric connections and take some safety measures.

Firstly, you’ll have to cut the power out of the range hood as well as the entire kitchen. It is best to unplug all of the appliances in the kitchen and turn off all the switches. This is because restoring power while appliances are powered on is highly risky and it can fry your new fuse as well. Now head towards the circuit breaker box of your house and screw the new fuse into the place of the old blown-up one. Turn on the breaker and head back to the kitchen. Check whether the fix worked or not by turning on a light appliance such as a bulb. You shouldn’t turn on the range hood directly as a heavy electrical appliance will draw more energy. If the new fuse blows up then it’s time to call an electrician.

What causes a fuse to blow up?

Your range hood fuse might blow up when several electronic appliances are plugged into the same circuit. An overload is usually caused when a single circuit is given more than what it can bear. To make sure your range hood’s fuse stays well, consider unplugging some of the kitchen’s appliances before turning on a high-energy appliance, such as the electric stove. Try avoiding overloading the circuit by minimizing electric connections, especially from a single outlet. People often make the mistake of plugging several appliances into one outlet. This is one of the top reasons behind a fuse blowing up.

What to do if range hood lights don’t turn on?

If you find your range hood’s lights not working but the motor works fine, then it’s highly likely that the bulb might have worn out and needs replacement. A blown fuse is not the cause of the hood’s lights not working because if the fuse had gone out, the entire unit would have no power. So, consider replacing the range hood’s light bulb and see if the problem still exists. You can check out our detailed guide to choosing a light bulb for your range hood here. Moreover, if changing the bulb doesn’t work, then the switch might have been damaged. You’ll need to have that replaced in this case.

What to do if the range hood doesn’t turn on?

The most common cause behind a range hood not powering on is a faulty electrical connection. If the rest of the appliances are working fine in the kitchen, then the problem lies in your range hood’s connection. Firstly, see if the outlet you connected the range hood to is working fine. If the outlet is providing current, then your range hood’s wiring might have been damaged. Take the range hood out of its place and inspect the wires thoroughly to see if they’re in their designated positions. See if any of the wires are damaged and need replacement. If you’re unable to find where the problem is, have an electrician over to take a look.

Conclusion

Most of these common problems related to your range hood can be solved easily and a blown fuse is one of them. However, don’t hesitate in seeking a professional’s help if you’re not capable of fixing the issue by yourself.

Charles John

Experienced HVAC technician with 8 years of experience in the industry. Capable of handling all sorts of heating and cooling equipment as well as proficient in operational management, construction-related techniques such as preventative maintenance, electrical troubleshooting and AutoCAD

Latest Posts