Circuit breakers monitor and control electrical amps in wiring, with different sizes for different needs. They trip when overvoltage occurs, preventing fires and damage. They are safer and easier to repair than fuses, and can distribute power throughout a home or business.
A circuit breaker is an electrical device used in an electrical panel that monitors and controls the amount of amps (amperes) sent through electrical wiring. Circuit breakers come in a variety of sizes. For example, 10, 15, and 20 amp circuit breakers are used for most of the power and lighting needs in the typical home. Some appliances and specialty items (washers, dryers, freezers, hot tubs, etc.) require a larger circuit breaker to handle the electrical load required to operate that appliance.
If an overvoltage occurs in the electrical wiring, the circuit breaker will trip. This means that a switch that was in the “on” position will go to the “off” position and cut off the electrical power from that switch. In essence, a switch is a safety device. When a circuit breaker is tripped, it can prevent a fire from starting on an overloaded circuit; it can also prevent the destruction of the electricity absorbing device.
While a number of older homes and buildings still use fuses to monitor the electrical load, nearly every newer home has circuit breakers in the electrical panel. Fuses perform much the same function as circuit breakers. However, circuit breakers are safer to use than fuses and easier to repair. If a fuse blows, often a homeowner won’t know which fuse controls which specific power areas of the home. The homeowner will need to examine the fuses to determine which fuse appears to be blown or blown. The fuse will then need to be unscrewed from the fuse box and a new fuse installed.
Circuit breakers are much easier to repair than fuses. When power to an area goes out, the homeowner can look in the electrical panel and see which breaker has tripped in the “off” position. The switch can then be flipped to the “on” position and power will resume again. Keep in mind that if a breaker keeps tripping after you flip it, you may have a bad breaker, a wiring problem, or there may be a problem with an electrical device that relies on that breaker. You should leave the breaker off and consult an electrician.
The typical home these days carries 100 or 200 amp electrical service. As a result, circuit breakers can be used to properly distribute power throughout the home. Most old-time fuse boxes allotted 60 amps for a whole house. Factories, offices and other assorted commercial facilities will have much greater electrical capacities. However, the power will still be distributed to a number of switchboards (probably 200 amp) throughout the business premises and then distributed via 15 and 20 amp circuit breakers to the luminaires and electrical sockets.
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