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usonian

(14,925 posts)
Fri Aug 30, 2024, 06:25 PM Aug 2024

Tested the fuse on an older power strip. It's OK.

However ...



I'll get out the soldering iron and attend to it.

There needed to be a firm mechanical connection, not just a solder blob, as the above photo proves.

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usonian

(14,925 posts)
3. Doesn't say where it was made.
Fri Aug 30, 2024, 06:37 PM
Aug 2024

All the wires except the power cord pass through lugs and are soldered. Interesting. I never took a power strip apart because they aren't supposed to fail.

Jerry2144

(2,647 posts)
10. I am former Navy Mechanic
Sat Aug 31, 2024, 11:46 AM
Aug 2024

We used to always joke with the Electronics techs about that.

keithbvadu2

(40,655 posts)
6. A classic glass cartridge fuse in the car got me one time.
Fri Aug 30, 2024, 07:31 PM
Aug 2024

A classic glass cartridge fuse in the car got me one time. It had a very fine crack across the middle. Touching both ends of the fuse of the multimeter made contact across the crack... Fuse good. Nope.

usonian

(14,925 posts)
7. Glad you didn't have to take the car apart, line I took the power strip apart, to find the break.
Fri Aug 30, 2024, 07:38 PM
Aug 2024

Speaking of solder blobs, back in the early microcomputer days, solder on S-100 PC boards had to be neat. Some boards were not so good, and you had to break contact between adjacent traces. Happened to a friend. I was lucky.

Probatim

(3,052 posts)
8. Buy a new one - I speak from personal experience, they aren't meant to last forever and you could lose your house.
Fri Aug 30, 2024, 10:24 PM
Aug 2024

Not that I lost my house, but I know someone who lost his car and plane collection to an outdated power strip.

usonian

(14,925 posts)
9. Thanks for the suggestion.
Fri Aug 30, 2024, 10:47 PM
Aug 2024

Now that it's apart, I can tell that it is (will be) good. As to the age, it's the only one that I have seen that has a fuse.

Long ago, I spotted a fire in the neighbor's garage, while the entire family was in the living room watching tv. It was an electrical fire, I recall. Might have saved the home and lives. I'll check and probably throw away some old lab type power strips that I don't use, and I am downsizing anyway.

Better safe than cheap.

I just checked the electrical equipment at the well pump and booster. I had some grungy work entirely replaced several years ago.

I was an electrician's mate, and bought benders and fish tape for EMT but haven't had the need in recent years. Always ready, though. Semper Paratus.

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