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Cost. It is because of the ease of resetting a breaker after a fault trip. A fuse is a throw away device after it trips.

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Q: Why do modern homes now make use of a circuit breaker instead of an electric fuse?
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What size ciruit breaker needed to run a 110v heater 500 watts?

That will draw about 9 amps at 120V. A 15 amp breaker if the circuit conductor is #14 or 20 amp breaker if the circuit conductor is #12. As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed. Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.


Can I replace a 15 amps fuse with a 15 amps breaker?

I believe that the wires supplying a 30 amp circuit must be at least 10 gauge. If you have 14 or 12 gauge wires going to or from your 15 amp breaker, then drawing 30 amps over it could cause a fire hazard. It's like using those cheapo non-UL certified extension cords to plug a MILLION X-mas lights into (drawing more power than the wires can handle). You also have to make sure this GFI outlet you refered to is rated for 30 amps. Do not simply swap out breakers. Overloading the wires in the circuit protected by that breaker will cause a fire. If you need a 30 amp circuit you must run #10 gauge wire.


What size amp circuit breaker should be used for a air conditioner?

In the USA, a National Electrical Code specifies things like circuit breaker sizes. The purpose of the circuit breaker is to protect the wiring (which is usually in a metal or plastic conduit, or in its own plastic insulation, and also is usually hidden in the wall, ceiling, or floor). The size of the circuit breaker (such as 15-amp, 20-amp, 30-amp) depends upon the size of the wiring. Wire guage sizes (in USA) are typically 14 awg (for lighting and light-duty circuits up to 15 amps), 12 awg (bigger than 14 awg, for power outlets as well as lighting circuits up to 20 amps), and larger sizes for special purposes. Most modern kitchens have two or more 12 awg circuits for the purpose of providing power to appliances such as toasters, mixers, etc. A 20-amp circuit breaker would protect a 12 awg wiring system designed to carry 120 Volts and 20 amps (amperes). For safety, you must determine the size of the wiring in order to decide which size circuit breaker will protect it. 15-amp circuit breaker for 14 awg wiring (which is easy to bend with finger tips) 20-amp circuit breaker for 12 awg wiring (which is hard to bend with finger tips) 30-amp circuit breaker for 10 awg wiring (which is very hard to bend with finger tips) The appliances and other items that you plug into an electrical outlet rely upon their own fuses or other design features for protection. The circuit breaker protects the wiring to prevent fire. This is IMPORTANT. Do not use a larger circuit breaker than the wiring can safely handle. AWG = American Wire Guage Smaller numbers are for bigger wires. 6-awg is about as big as a wooden pencil. 30-awg is about as fine as a human hair. I would add this: do yourself a favor, make 12 gauge wire your standard when putting in any new wiring (unless you are going higher than 20 amp circuit) . Don't mess with 14 gauge at all. The cost difference is peanuts.


How does a buzzer work in an electric circuit?

take two cells a buzzer and a light join the buzzer with wire and the light bulb with the buzzer and the cell


What happens if you drop an electrical plug into water?

It depends on the plug. Most modern, original-equipment plugs are sealed; water cannot get inside. Shake off any water that's on the outside--especially on the prongs--and it will be fine. With an older or aftermarket plug, though, water can enter; it can be dangerous to use such a plug unless it is thoroughly dry inside. It may be necessary to disassmble the plug to properly dry it.

Related questions

Where circuit breaker are used?

Circuit breakers do not use anything, they are a controlling device. They can automatically open the circuit if the current exceeds the current rating and you can manually disconnect the power from the circuit.


What safety devices does most modern house use instead of fuses?

Circuit breakers which are basically an automatic off switch if the current goes over the amps listed on the face of the breaker. The breaker will simply "trip" or turn off if you have a power surge that exceeds the amps. They do not burn out like fuses do, so you generally do not have to replace them if they are tripped. Simply fix the cause of the surge and flip the breaker back on.


Is Sodium Hexa Fluoride Gas used in electrical circuit breakers?

yes SF6 gas is used in modern ckt. breaker.


Which can prevent a circuit from overloading?

In most appliances the single thing that prevents an overload is the fuse. In modern electronics there are various devices that can be used for power management which can limit the current drawn by reducing the load voltage. see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Current_limiting


What size ciruit breaker needed to run a 110v heater 500 watts?

That will draw about 9 amps at 120V. A 15 amp breaker if the circuit conductor is #14 or 20 amp breaker if the circuit conductor is #12. As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed. Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.


Can I replace a 15 amps fuse with a 15 amps breaker?

I believe that the wires supplying a 30 amp circuit must be at least 10 gauge. If you have 14 or 12 gauge wires going to or from your 15 amp breaker, then drawing 30 amps over it could cause a fire hazard. It's like using those cheapo non-UL certified extension cords to plug a MILLION X-mas lights into (drawing more power than the wires can handle). You also have to make sure this GFI outlet you refered to is rated for 30 amps. Do not simply swap out breakers. Overloading the wires in the circuit protected by that breaker will cause a fire. If you need a 30 amp circuit you must run #10 gauge wire.


Why does a fuse blow or circuit breaker trips?

Both devices are safety measures for the electrical circuit. The home fuse is a glass affair with a burnable core. If the core melts, the circuit opens. The circuit breaker does the same thing, but is a "reset" device, meaning that it can be used over and over again. The fuse is replaceable, but not "reset-able." Both systems are used in modern homes, but the fuse system is being replaced by the circuit breaker system.


Which modern devices use integrated circuit?

Practically all electrical devices include integrated circuits today. Anything from a domestic electric kettle to a space station will include them


What is the role of a switch?

A switch is installed in a circuit to stop the current flow. Without the switch there is no way to disconnect the operation of the circuit's load. In modern households the switch is a convenient way to control room lighting from a convenient location. Without switches the circuit power would have to be controlled from the service distribution panel's breakers. In this scenario the breaker would be in the same class as a switch.


Where can I find a contemporary electric fireplace?

www.modernflames.com/ Modern electric fireplace manufacturer specializing in modern and contemporary electric fireplaces. Go electric in style. just look it there


Why modern devices use integrated circuit instead of vacuum tubes?

Modern devices use integrated circuits instead of vacuum tubes because integrated circuits occupy less space than vacuum tubes, are more efficient, consumes less energy and are more reliable than vacuum tubes.


What is Robert Noyce and Jack Kilby known for?

The integrated circuit which is the foundation of modern society because it computes to all of the modern technelogy.