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A circuit breaker is the only reusable circuit protector in that list.

A fuse is also circuit protection, but it is not reusable.

A length of wire can work like a fuse in some applications, such as feeding Transformers on poles, but the wire would have to be small enough of a gauge to be able to burn out when overloaded. However, the wire would need replaced after an overload.

A three prong outlet is for protecting humans, not circuits. The ground wire is for providing a low impedance fault current path back to the breaker to trip the faulted circuit's breaker (or fuse). The opening of the circuit will prevent a possible fire. However, a three prong outlet doesn't actually provide the protection of tripping the circuit.

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6y ago
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9y ago

A three prong outlet is for protecting humans, not circuits. The ground wire is for providing a low impedance fault current path back to the breaker to trip the faulted circuit's breaker. The opening of the circuit will prevent a possible fire. However, a three prong outlet doesn't actually provide the protection of tripping the circuit.

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9y ago

A circuit breaker is the only reusable circuit protector in that list.

A fuse is also circuit protection, but it is not reusable.

A length of wire can work like a fuse in some applications, such as feeding transformers on poles, but the wire would have to be small enough of a gauge to be able to burn out when overloaded. However, the wire would need replaced after an overload.

A three prong outlet is for protecting humans, not circuits. The ground wire is for providing a path back to the breaker or fuse panel to cause an overload if a device becomes unsafe. So the circuit will trip and hopefully prevent fire or electric shock. However, it doesn't actually provide the protection of tripping the circuit.

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Q: What is a reusable circuit protector a circuit breaker - a fuse - a 10 gauge copper wire or a three prong outlet?
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What is the margin of safety with selecting circuit breakers?

The NEC requires that if the intended rating of a circuit corresponds to a standard size breaker then that size breaker must be used. In most instances, "rating of a circuit" means the intended connected load plus 25%. If the intended rating of a circuit does not correspond to a standard size breaker, you can go up to the next standard size without any other adjustments. In most circumstances, besides what I've already stated, a 14 gauge copper wire cannot be connected to a breaker larger than 15 amps, 12 gauge copper to a 20 amp breaker, and 10 gauge copper to a 30 amp breaker.


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Will it hurt to use a 40 amp breaker on a water heater the wire I was sold will not fit into the 30 amp on a sq. D circuit breaker?

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Is the wire running to a 20amp breaker different from a wire running to a15amp breaker?

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