I have just bought a 2nd hand floor standing lamp. The fuse in the plug was a 3amp and I will not be putting more than a 75w bulb in the fitting. The lamp works in the shop but when I get home and turn it on the trip switch on the fusebox is operating? Why does it work in one place and not another. The shop does not have a consumer unit with trip fuses but uses the old fuse wire system. Do I put a 5amp fuse in or is there something wrong with the way the lamp is operating?

Q O'Donnell, August 2010

You clearly have a earth/neutral fault on the lamp. Check the wiring and use a 5 Amp fuse max.

Sparks, September 2010

I would check the lamp wiring at the plug AND the bulb fitting. If both okay, then check if it is three core or two core wire, in other words, check to see if the lamp has an green&yellow wire to be earthed.
Replace with a 5amp fuse if two core, and 13amp, if three core.

Davymac, August 2010