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What melts if the current in an electric circuit gets too high?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Anything that is in contact with the medium conducting the over-current. In an ideal situation a breaker should trip or a fuse should blow. If not wire insulation can melt, the wire itself can melt or various components can either melt or burn outright.
Sq D used a motor overload heater that was used on its motor overload contactor. It was designed as a ratchet on the end of a shaft that was inserted in a barrel on the body of the overload. A melting alloy held the shaft in the barrel. The ratchet on the end of the shaft held a spring loaded contact in the closed position. The body of the overload was bolted in series with the load terminal on the output side of the contactor. When the motor load current heated the overload protection device above its trip point, the alloy melted allowing the shaft to turn in the barrel portion of the overload heater. Being spring loaded the ratchet turned from the spring pressure and opened the normally closed contact thereby opening the magnetics coil circuit, dropping the contactor open and shutting the motor off.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoit s a fuse
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How does a switch control an electric device?
A switch basically represents a gap in the electric circuit. Electric current can pass through a circuit only if it is complete. An incomplete circuit can never pass a current through it. When the switch is in the 'off' position, the circuit has a break (gap) in it. When you put the switch in 'on' position, the circuit wire join and the circuit gets completed.
Does miliamperes increase as does battery voltage when put in a series configuration?
The current in a circuit, expressed in milliamperes, is1,000 x (battery or power supply voltage)/(resistance connected between the power supply terminals)If you increase the voltage of the battery or power supply, the current in the circuitincreases proportionally, at least until something in the circuit gets hot, melts, fuses,and opens the circuit.
How is current distributed in a series circuit?
In a series circuit, all components gets the same amount of current passing through them.
What happens to electric current as voltage gets large?
If the resistance of the load is kept more-or-less constant, then the current also becomes larger. On the other hand, if the power of the load is kept more-or-less constant, then the current becomes smaller.
Contrast how a fuse and a circuit breaker work to prevent overloading in circuits?
They stop electrical applications like washing machines from harming us if they malfunction.Suppose something goes wrong and the live wire gets connected to the casing. You are now at risk from a fatal electric shock but the fuse stops this. Because the earthing wire is connected to the case and it offers little resistance energy surges down it. This overloads the fuse which melts thus breaking the circuit and protecting you.Additional AnswerIt should be noted that a fuse or circuit breaker is designed to protect a circuit against an over current. It is not designed to protect people!
What is an electrical tool that melts to open a circuit if an electrical current gets too high?
fuse
How does a switch control an electric device?
A switch basically represents a gap in the electric circuit. Electric current can pass through a circuit only if it is complete. An incomplete circuit can never pass a current through it. When the switch is in the 'off' position, the circuit has a break (gap) in it. When you put the switch in 'on' position, the circuit wire join and the circuit gets completed.
This melts if the current gets to high?
The conductor's insulation can melt if the current gets higher than the ampacity of the conductor.
What happens in a fuse when the current gets too high?
It melts (fuses).
What are fuses and circuit breakers What are they for?
A fuse is a device that contain a thin strip of metal that will melt if there is too much current through it.A circuit breaker is a reusable safety switch that breaks the circuit when the current gets too high.They are used to prevent circuits from overheating.
What effect does adding devices have on the resistance of the series circuit?
Many circuits have safety devices such as fuse. A fuse contains a substance that melts if it gets hot. if a short circuit happens, the heat causes the fuse to melt. The circuit is broken. because the current stops ,no damage is done.
Can an electric circuit burn paper if it comes into contact with it?
Yes, if the circuit gets hot enough.
Does miliamperes increase as does battery voltage when put in a series configuration?
The current in a circuit, expressed in milliamperes, is1,000 x (battery or power supply voltage)/(resistance connected between the power supply terminals)If you increase the voltage of the battery or power supply, the current in the circuitincreases proportionally, at least until something in the circuit gets hot, melts, fuses,and opens the circuit.
Gets stronger as you get closer to an electric charge?
The electric field gets stronger as you get closer to an electric charge.
How is current distributed in a series circuit?
In a series circuit, all components gets the same amount of current passing through them.
How can a fuse stop the current flowing if the currents to big?
it gets broken A fuse is specifically designed so that when the current exceeds its specified rating, the fuse itself fails in some way (usually, part of it melts or burns out). When the fuse "blows", the circuit is cut open, so current can no longer flow.
What does fuses and circuit breakers protect the wire or equipment?
A fuse protects a circuit, equipment, or person by being the 'weakest link'. In case of too much current flowing, it opens, breaking the circuit and not allowing electricity to flow. This prevents a continual overcurrent, and associated heat and fire.
