Thursday, March 13, 2008

Circuit Breakers vs. Fuses


Circuit breakers and fuses perform the same task: They interrupt electrical power when the current demand is too high. If you plug a 2,200-watt personal surfing pool complete with Oahu-inspired monster waves into a 15-amp circuit, be prepared to wipe out along with the power. If the breaker doesn’t trip or the fuse burn out, the wire connecting the receptacle to the panel could overheat and possibly start a fire. You probably wouldn’t realize anything was burning because the wiring is concealed inside your walls. Circuit breakers have been the mainstay for residential electrical installations for more than 40 years. They’re convenient, dependable, and reusable. What’s not to like about them?

No comments: