The fuses on a motherboard are devices that protect it from electric currents that are too powerful. Each fuse contains a piece of metal inside of itself that melts when the electric current becomes to strong, which stops the electricity from flowing. Motherboards use special fuses called polymeric positive temperature coefficient thermistors; in English, this translates into "a fuse that will reset itself." These fuses protect the motherboard from frying every time a larger amount of electricity surges through the computer power supply.

  • The fuses on a motherboard are devices that protect it from electric currents that are too powerful.
  • These fuses protect the motherboard from frying every time a larger amount of electricity surges through the computer power supply.

Put on your antistatic wrist wrap. If you wish to check the motherboard fuses and not use an antistatic wrist wrap, touch a grounded piece of metal, such as a doorknob. Move the computer to a place with no carpet flooring. This will protect your motherboard from static electricity.

Turn off your computer and unplug the power cable from the back.

  • Turn off your computer and unplug the power cable from the back.

Take your screwdriver and unfasten the screws that are holding up the left side panel on the back of your PC. Remove the side panels.

Lay the computer on its right side.

Look at the motherboard and locate the motherboard fuses; they appear as two metal connectors, which are soldered onto the motherboard, connected by a small bridge, which is the actual fuse. The metal connectors will most likely be a silver colour, and the connector will be white. The fuses on a motherboard are never larger than a few millimetres (see "Resources," below).

TIP

For assistance in identifying the motherboard fuses, use a magnifying glass. There are many fuses scattered all over the motherboard.

WARNING

Static electricity can destroy your motherboard.