0
Both devices are safety measures for the electrical circuit. The home fuse is a glass affair with a burnable core. If the core melts, the circuit opens. The circuit breaker does the same thing, but is a "reset" device, meaning that it can be used over and over again. The fuse is replaceable, but not "reset-able." Both systems are used in modern homes, but the fuse system is being replaced by the circuit breaker system.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agowhen a circuit draws more current than the fuse is rated for the element (a piece of metal) in the fuse overheats and melts, therefore breaking the path of the current and no more current flows to the circuit. The fuse element is made to melt at a certain amount of current flowing through it and acts as a safety switch.
A circuit breaker acts the same way, it uses the heat generated by the current flowing though it to trip (open) the circuit when a certain current flow occurs. This is done through a thermo-magnetic mechanism.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoCircuit breakers and fuses are designed to protect the wiring in the circuit from overheating and possibly melting or causing a fire. Each gauge (size) of wire will carry only so much electrical current before it overheats. The circuit breaker/fuse is designed to blow/trip at a safe limit before the wiring is overloaded. Larger circuit breakers and fuses protect larger wiring.
The cause of the overload is often a faulty electrical appliances that has shorted out and is allowing electrical current to flow unrestricted. The cause could also be too many appliances connected to the same circuit and, therefore, drawing too much current between them.
In any case, the circuit breaker or fuse is designed to blow or trip long before the wiring can become overheated. This is also why you should never replace a smaller amperage fuse with a larger one.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe current through the device exceeds the rated value. In a fuse the wire in the fuse just melts. In the breaker a switch opens up which is usually caused by heat that trips the breaker. The heat is caused by the excessive current inside the breaker.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoIts because of the heavey load that your are pluging
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What device protects an electrical circuit?
An example of a circuit protection device is a fuse. Another example is a circuit breaker.
What is the meaning of the number 15 on a fuse or circuit breaker?
This is the amount of current that the wire in the fuse will "fuse" or open. and the Breaker will trip. Having said that, the time it takes to blow will depend on how close to the max the current is. If you put 13 amps on a 15 amp fuse, it will get hot enough to blow eventually. No fuse or breaker should have more than 80% load.
What happens if a circuit has no resistance?
Then the voltage in will equal the voltage out. The purpose of a resistor is to reduce the amount of electrical flow of current. You 'short out' the supply and blow a fuse/circuit breaker.
What do I do if there is no circuit breaker for outdoor light?
If you have a light that is not being powered through a circuit breaker or fuse, you should call a qualified electrician to remove this circuit from the panel's bus and install a circuit breaker for it. Without an overcurrent protective device (circuit breaker or fuse) you have a potential fire hazard.
How is a fuse different from a circuit breaker?
A fuse is used one time and replaced. A breaker can be re-set.
Why will too many electrical devices operating at one time after blow a fuse or trip a circuit breaker?
The load exceeds the limit of the breaker or fuse. For example a 20 amp breaker on a 120 volt circuit will handle 2400 watts. Exceed that wattage and the breaker will trip or the fuse will blow.
What happens if you overload plug sockets?
the circuit breaker will trip or fuse will blow to open the circuit.
How do you change wire fuse for circuit breaker?
A circuit breaker does not have a wire fuse in it.
In the electrical circuit of a house the fuse is used?
A fuse/breaker is used to protect the wiring within the home for overheating and catching on fire. When the fuse/breaker detects an excess flow of current beyond the range of the fuse/breaker, within a circuit, it will blow/trip to shut off the flow of electricity in that circuit thus preventing a possible fire.
Why do modern homes now make use of a circuit breaker instead of an electric fuse?
Cost. It is because of the ease of resetting a breaker after a fault trip. A fuse is a throw away device after it trips.
What happens when you connect live wire to ground?
This is a short circuit which will create sparks. The breaker or fuse on the circuit will likely trip or blow.
What is the function of the fuse or circuit breaker in a circuit?
A circuit breaker/fuse is designed to protect the wiring from getting overloaded.
What advantaged does a circuit breaker have compared with a fuse?
You can reset a circuit breaker but a fuse you must replace.
What device protects an electrical circuit?
An example of a circuit protection device is a fuse. Another example is a circuit breaker.
What is the best suitable component for circuit protection instead of fuse?
circuit breaker, or "resettable fuse", which is a reallya small circuit breaker in the housing of a fuse
A fuse or circuit breaker used in a circuit is usually inserted in?
A fuse or circuit breaker used in a circuit is usually inserted in series with the load.
What is an alternative to using a fuse?
An alternative to using a fuse is to use an electrical circuit breaker.
