I changed a receptacle but did not break off the tab between the 2 brass contacts with the rted and black wire. It worked fine for a few wedays then blew the 15 amp cartridge fuse every time I replaced it. Is it because I did not break the tab off?
Thank you for your help
Clive Lopez

Clive,

I need some more information.

Are you here in the U.S.A. or Canada?

The only reason to break the connection between the brass terminals is if you are using a switched receptacle or the receptacle is being used as a split receptacle.

Normally a split receptacle arrangement is used for a "Multi wire" circuit. This means that you have two (tandem breakers in the panel box that are joined together by the handle. Black would go to one terminal on the breaker and red would go to the other. White would go to the Neutral bus and the EGC would go to the ground bus.

By splitting or removing the contact strap between the two terminals you are using a circuit for one terminal and a different circuit for the second terminal. Both circuits share the Neutral wire.

Is that what you are trying to accomplish?

I would remove the red OR black from the receptacle, turn breaker back on, and test for power on the red and black, try all switches.
If you find both are hot, test between both for the presence of 240 volts?