Circuit breakers are now popular device used in residential and commercial premises because of great advantage over fuses. It is a device that automatically breaks an electrical current whenever the circuit gets overloaded or an abrupt short circuit happens. Circuit breakers have a defined electric current load capacity which when breached results to automatic circuit power cut.
Overloading happens when an electric in wires is stormed and conducts an electric charge beyond wires’ capacity. Whenever this occurs, the wires heat up and consequently burst or an electrical fire erupts. But by installing a circuit, risk of electric fire can be avoided to a great deal. Unlike a fuse which work once and then has to be replaced, a circuit breaker can be reset (either manually or automatically) to resume normal operation.
Presently, wholesale electric are available in different capacities, from small breakers that guard an individual household appliance up to large switchgear designed to protect high voltage circuits feeding an entire city. They are also available in varying sizes and are usually used according to the electric load required to run the appliances.
Now, circuit breakers are the ideal replacement of fuses, in fact considered as the preferred device to handle electric loan and protect circuit. The major advantage of this have over fuses is that you don’t have to put too much effort to reset them. And like fuses, you don’t have to place a new one every time an appliance draws excessive current. Moreover, when a breaker closes off the circuit, it won’t work unless you throw it all the way to the off position before you turn it back on again. One more feature of electric circuit breaker is that it is air-ambient compensated- the hotter the air around them gets, the sooner they will trip.
In addition, if you are choosing circuit breaker for common living areas, choose an Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) breaker which is designed to cut electric shocks if certain wires become worn or damaged and create an electric spark. You can use these home circuit breakers for living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms and foyers.
No matter what kind of home you choose, but don’t forget to verify that it meets National Electrical Code (NEC) standards. The NEC points the safety standards for electrical systems throughout the home and all licensed electricians must adhere to these codes during installation. So, while buying the product, check whether it is NEC-compliant. These days, the typical house carries either a 100 amp or 200 amp electrical services, so you should choose a home circuit breaker that can handle electric load of such capacity and able to distribute the power properly throughout the house.