My clothes dryer started blowing fuses. Since it was a 1964 model, we assumed it was on it's last legs and bought a new one. The new dryer is also starting to blow fuses. The dryer is on a separate fuse box from everything else. Nothing has changed where the dryer or fuse box was concerned. What could be the problem?

tkrussell

Fuses blow usually for two reasons, a short circuit or an overload, drawing more amps than the fuse is rated to handle.

I have found that a circuit will not be shorted or overloaded and fuses still blow. This can be caused by a loose connection in the fuseholder, which will cause heat when the circuit is used. The heat will build up and cause the fuse to open.

When does the fuse blow? Right away as soon as you turn on the dryer? Or does the dryer run for a while till the fuse blows? If this is the case, seems the loose connection in the fuseholder is probably the reason. Look inside the fuseholder, is there any evidence of heating, such as discolored metal or burnt plastic?

Whay size fuses are they? Most dryers use a 30 amp fuse. Have seen some of the newer super large dryers that need 40 amp fuses.

If you think the symptoms point to a loose connection in the fuse box, you will need to be very careful working here. Be sure to shut off the main, and use a good tester to be sure any wiring or terminals you touch are not energized.

If this informmation does not help, please get back with more details about the rating of the fuse, size of circuit and wiring, and the load in watts of the nameplate of the dryer.

McDaisyJ

Thank you very much for the quick reply. My husband has decided the change the box from a fuse box to circuit breakers. He did look at the fuse box and confirmed that a wire was loose and causing it to overheat. Thanks again!!