0
When a circuit is overloaded, this "only" tells you that the load is greater than the design of the circuit justifies/defines as alright.
We can have several manufacturers producing the same "circuit" and all of them may have slightly different "design" limitations.
Example 1:
A specific cable may be specified to safely provide 5 Ampere at 120 Vac
you may have 120 Vac at the beginning of the cable and after 100 yards, you might only get 115 Vac. 5 Vac is lost in the cable and is dissipated as heat. 5volt times 5 Amp = 25 Watt of heat to the cable.
When this 5A limit is surpassed, ie you run 6 Ampere load on a 5 Ampere design, then the voltage will drop more. As a result, the cable will heat up more. As the cable heats up, the insulation might begin to melt. In worst case scenario this might cause a fire.
Example 2:
A long cable running 120 Vac at a load of 5 Ampere (or more) may have too much of a voltage drop for your equipment to run properly. This might cause equipment to malfunction or not work as well as intended.
Note:
Different countries have slightly different regulations regarding electrical wiring's. A cable designed for 120Vac in one country may qualify for 235Vac in Another Country. It may be ok for 5 Ampere load 120Vac in one country but 6 Ampere load in another country. Most cables are designed so that a little bit of overload is within safe limits.
The longer the cables are, the more voltage drop and the more effect is lost in the cable. Long cables should not be overloaded, where as really short wires do not always pose as a risk even with 50% overload. (Generally less than 10 yards of cable).
Stay protected though, and do not work cheaper "overloading" solutions in your house.
A:
An overload is when to much load is put on a circuit (too many lights or plug and cord connected loads, or motors working to hard), when this happens either the overcurrent protection device (fuse or circuit breaker) will open or in the case of motors an overload device will open the circuit. If these protective devices do not open the circuit properly the wires (or motor) will overheat and start a fire. The ampacity of a cable is rated lower than what the cable can actual carry before it fails, this is a built in safety that allows the protection devices time to operate properly.
What else can I help you with?
What type of failure might blow the fuses?
A dead short to ground or an overloaded circuit.A dead short to ground or an overloaded circuit.
Why would a computer wire melt?
Short in the circuit or the circuit was overloaded.
What is designed to open an overloaded circuit and prevent overheating?
A circuit breaker or a fuse.
Why does your circuit breaker trip when your heater comes on?
That circuit is overloaded. Call an electrician to fix it for you.
What makes a time delay fuse burn out?
Short in circuit wiring or circuit overloaded.
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.
The role of the circuit breaker is what?
to prevent a circuit from overloading if too much current flow safely interrupt the circuit if it becomes overloaded
How can you prevent having an overloaded circuit?
The thing that prevents an overload is the fuse.
What devices can help protect homes from overloaded circuits?
Circuit breaker or fuse.fuse
What happens when a fuse burns out when overloaded with too many appliances?
the circuit is broken.
How can you tell if you have a short in your car?
If a fuse blows you probably have a short or the circuit is overloaded.
What do you do if the fuses keep blowing?
Find out why the fuse is blowing. You have a short or the circuit is overloaded.
