How do you find the fuse box in your house?

Fuse boxes are generally located on a wall in the basement, closet or garage near the electric meter. The box is typically rectangular, gray or black, and has a door on the front. Visual inspection near the electrical line entering the house from the meter should indicate a general area.

The fuse box may have glass or cartridge type fuses. The main power disconnect should always be turned off before inspecting or changing the fuses. A blown glass fuse can be identified by a cloudy or black smudge on the window of the fuse or a visible broken element inside. Diagnosis of a blown cartridge fuse requires a fuse tester or a multimeter with a resistance setting.