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Power (current, voltage) as supplied by the utility comes in through a main fuse/breaker which is connected to a branch circuit fuse breaker and then goes out to the house's lights and outlets. In the US, the standard for general (those not feeding a specific load, like a stove or dryer) branch circuit is 15 amps (although sometimes 20 amps is used). The main fuse/breaker (i.e., the "service entrance") used to be 100 amps; I think it is now generally 200 amps (though I know of one house that has 600 amps). In addition, there are branch circuits for the stove, dryer, air conditioning, etc., all of which will probably be more than 20 amps. The thing to note is that the sum of all the branch circuits is greater than the ampacity of the service entrance. The difference between the two is based on the assumption that not all of the branch circuits will be drawing their full rated current at all times. The branch circuit breakers protect their wiring against overloads, and the main breakers protect the supply and panel against overloads. This same philosophy is duplicated in (generally) commercial buildings where there are sub-panels closer to the loads. There will be a master breaker for the sub-panel, generally located at the source panel for the supply to the sub-panel, but sometimes at the sub-panel itself.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoA fuse is a smalll device placed in series with the live wire in a power supply. The fuse contains a short length of wire which is thinner than the rest of the wire. This means that if the current exceeds the maximum allowed value, the fuse wire will melt and interrupt the supply, thus removing the possibility of a fire.
Fuse wire is usually made of wire with a low melting point to allow it to function without a large temperature rise.
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoFuse wire is designed to blow if a short-circuit or other fault occurs, so preventing the cables or components from burning-out. It is important to use fuse wire at the lowest amps. For instance, most appliances will come with a 13 amp fuse in the plug. If the plug is for a lamp, then 13 amp is too high. I would change the fuse to a 2 or 3 amp. A 13 amp fuse is for appliances up to 3000 watts. If in doubt ask an electrician.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoif there is a shrt circuit then the fuse wire will blow off to protect the domestic circuit
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoFuse wire is not used in electrical circuits in the home.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoIt is a safety device. It is not an essential part of the circuit.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoto cut off supply when overloaded
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What wire in a circuit should contain the fuse?
The live wire
What will happen if a thick copper wire is used in fuse?
If a thick copper wire is used in a fuse then by definition of a fuse this device would no longer be defined as a fuse. A fuse in a circuit is used to protect the conductors feeding the load of that circuit. The circuit, if using a thick copper wire in a fuse, would then be considered as a non fused circuit.
What happen if fuse is connected to neutral wire?
The fuse will be blown off in case of any fault. But the circuit will not be isolated because of the presence of fuse in nutral line. current will still flow and the line will be so dangerous.
What number wire gauge for a single pole light switch?
In residential wiring applications the most used is 14 gauge wire for light switches as long as the circuit breaker or the fuse is 15A. If your lighting circuit is on a 20A fuse/circuit breaker then you need to use 12 gauge wire
How does a fuse break?
A fuse is a piece of wire that has a lower current rating than the rest of the circuit. When power is applied to a wire, it heats up (which is why electrical items get hot with use). The fuse wire melts at a lower temperature than the rest of the circuit - meaning that it breaks before the device is damaged by high current.
Why the fuse wire necessary in a circuit?
It is a safety device. It is not an essential part of the circuit.
How do you change wire fuse for circuit breaker?
A circuit breaker does not have a wire fuse in it.
Why is a fuse wire necessary in a circuit?
a fuse wire melts when current passing through it exceeds a certain value as in overloading and short circuiting .this breaks the circuit prventing further current flow and damage ..
What wire in a circuit should contain the fuse?
The live wire
What is fuse what is it made up of?
A fuse in its simplest form - is simply a short piece of wire that is weaker than the circuit it is protecting. When the current flowing through the circuit exceeds the fuse rating, the fuse wire melts - breaking the circuit.
What is the advantage of electric fuse in an electric circuit?
A fuse is intended to be a weak link of thin wire that goes in series with a circuit. If the current becomes too high for any reason, the fuse wire melts and cuts off the supply. Without a fuse, the circuit will heat up until something else melts, which might cause a fire. So fuses are necessary to prevent electrical fires.
What will happen if a thick copper wire is used in fuse?
If a thick copper wire is used in a fuse then by definition of a fuse this device would no longer be defined as a fuse. A fuse in a circuit is used to protect the conductors feeding the load of that circuit. The circuit, if using a thick copper wire in a fuse, would then be considered as a non fused circuit.
Why does the wire from the fuse box to the head light switch burn up?
Check the headlight fuse that's INSIDE the box. If an oversized fuse has been put in the fusebox you will have problems with the wire overheating whenever there is a problem in the circuit. There is a short circuit (wire touching chassis ground) somewhere in the lighting circuit, but the wire is burning because an oversized fuse has been put in the circuit.
Why are circuit symbols used when drawing electric circuit?
It is often necessary to wire crossing
What happen if fuse is connected to neutral wire?
The fuse will be blown off in case of any fault. But the circuit will not be isolated because of the presence of fuse in nutral line. current will still flow and the line will be so dangerous.
Why is it not okay to use a fuse with a higher amperage rating in an electrical circuit?
The fuse is supposed to be the weakest link in the circuit. The circuit is rated to handle a specific load current. The wire and insulation rating of the circuit is governed by this specific load. If this load malfunctions and the load current becomes higher that what is specified, the fuse is there to break the circuit. A fuse of a higher rating than what is called for will allow a higher current to flow through the circuit which could cause the insulation on the wire to melt, the wire to burn open or components in the circuit to become unusable. Never over fuse an electrical circuit with a larger amp rated fuse.
Which do you think melts faster the wires in a circuit or wire that make up a fuse?
The fuse wire is thinner and it's designed to melt faster.
