08/23/2026
It's been a hot, literally, minute since I had to replace fuses on a commercial building.
Performed a Job Hazard Analysis. Reviewed my safety checklist. Let someone know where I was working, when I anticipated being done, and that I'd contact them. Garbed up. Tested and wore the gloves.
Intensely focused.
One mistake and an entire commercial complex could go down on the utility side. That would be the best thing that would happen.
Opened the switch and confirmed via measurements that all switch blades opened.
Thankfully, this was a Square D 200 amp fusible switch and not some other piece of garbage electricians often see.
Removed all three fuses and installed three new fuses after greasing their blades.
Re-energized the switch and confirmed all three phase legs were again powered from the electric utility through the fuses. Checked phase currents and all were near one another and less than 200 amps with the air-conditioning system fully operational and all lighting ON.
Closed up, dressed down, cleaned up, and greeted the very happy building owner.
This was a late afternoon call and the complaint was that all emergency and EXIT lighting was flickering. Started at the panelboard and confirmed Phase leg A was dead, the result of a blown fuse. The lighting load was seeing only 29.4 volts.
Our youth need to learn how to perform work like this.
Today was a good day.
🤙🤙🤙🙂
! :-)