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No. Well, not directly anyway. Fuses and circuit breakers are designed to protect electrical equipment, not persons, from damage due to overcurrents (overload currents or fault currents). By disconnecting such equipment, they are rendered safe. But the level of overcurrent that will trip a circuit breaker or cause a fuse to operate is usually significantly higher than the current that will cause electrocution. Anyone relying on a fuse of circuit breaker for personal protection is likely to be dead before that protective device operates!

To protect people, there are special devices called 'residual current devices' (UK terminology) or 'ground-fault interrupters' (North-American terminology) which will quickly disconnect at very low values of currents -below those which will cause electrocution. Such devices or, rather, their features are sometimes incorporated into circuit breakers so that such circuit breakers will protect both equipment andpersons. Often, these devices supply circuits that terminate in outdoor socket outlets (receptacles), so that electrical tools, such as lawn mowers, strimmers, etc., can be used safely.

For more information on how these devices are used, you should consult your country's electrical wiring regulations, as the requirements vary from country to country.

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Q: Are fuses and circuit breakers designed in a way to protect people from shocks?
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What does this sentence mean fuses are the police officers of electric current?

Fuses protect an electrical circuit. When current in an electrical circuit becomes dangerously high the fuse will open protecting people and property. Police men/women protect people and property from the dregs of society.


How is an insulator used in a circuit?

An insulator is used to protect people from being electrocuted by the live wire. Most commonly used insulators are plastic or rubber.


What makes a circuit breaker go bad?

A circuit breaker can go bad from being tripped too many times. Many people don't understand that the tripping of a circuit breaker indicates a problem that needs to be corrected. They usually just reset the circuit breaker, leading to a very common second (or third, or fourth) trip. Circuit breakers tripping are for the prevention of fire due to excessive heat in the circuit. They're not supposed to be tripped repeatedly. This can wear the breaker out. Believe it or not, I've also seen circuit breakers fail to re-energize after being turned off. I speculate this was actually caused by the breaker never having been cycled (it was a main breaker), and the time elapsed since it was installed. Electrical equipment doesn't last forever. It's the same as anything else.


How does a circuit breaker protect you?

A circuit breaker limits the amps that a circuit can carry. If the amperage draw on a circuit exceeds that limit, the circuit breaker turns off the circuit. If the current through a wire exceeds the rated amperage, the wire will overheat and eventually cause a fire, or at a minimum, destroy the wire behind inside the wall. Obviously, people don't want a house fire caused by an electrical overload, so circuit breakers are used to prevent damage and potential loss of life.


Are there Breakers that are interchangable with Thomas and Betts breakers?

It depends on the specific style of the breaker. Bring your T&B breaker to a hardware store or Home Depot and check with the people in the electric department. Many are now interchangeable with ITE, GE and Square D. However, older T&B breakers are not interchangeable.

Related questions

What do fuses and circuit breakers do?

Fuses and circuit breakers protect the conductors that are connected to them from not letting the current going above the current rating that is given to individual size conductors.the main function is to quickly stop the power to continue threw the loop., and to protect ,equipment from damage and people from dying, that may be in contact to a shorted circuitCommentFuses and circuit breakers are overload protection devices, designed to protect loads (e.g. appliances) against overload or short-circuit currents. They are not designed to protect people.to over come the over load conditions.In simple terms the purpose of a fuse or circuit breaker is to protect the wiring from overheating and causing a fire. That is why it is so very important to match the fuse or breaker with the size wire in the circuit.Protect the circuit from over current. Fuses and breakers prevent excessive amounts of current to flow through the conductors in a circuit which causes heat to build up making for a fire hazard.A circuit breaker or fuse is a protective device that shuts off power when the current exceeds a preset limit. It is designed to protect the wiring, and thus prevent damage to the equipment and fire.


What is the function of circuit breakers and fuses?

Protection. They shut off the power to protect the equipment circuits, the main circuits and people.


What is the purpose for a fuse or a circuit breaker what would happen without them?

Purpose of Fuses [and Circuit Breakers]Fuses and Circuit Breakers are safety devices designed and installed in electrical circuits TO PROTECT the conductors [wires] from short circuit and overload conditions which can cause extreme overheating of the conductors, that can result in damage to the conductors, and in worse case scenario the possibility of a FIRE which could destroy the vehicle.When a fuse, and its replacement, "blows," is an indication of an UNSAFE CONDITION in that circuit.Some ingnorant few people will suggest installing a larger fuse to correct the blowing problem. To install a larger fuse would invite damage to the wiring and an electrical system fire.The proper "fix" is for a qualified technician, who knows what he/she's doing, to:troubleshoot the circuit,find and identify the defect, andmake proper repair [s], BEFORE replacing the fuse again [with the properly sized fuse for the circuit].


Why are fuse boxes or curcuit breakers good safety features in houses?

They can avert electrical fires in case of fuse boxes and many modern circuit breakers can stop people from being seriously electrocuted


What are air quality standards designed to protect?

Air quality standards are designed to protect the population. They ensure that people have clean air to breathe.


What does this sentence mean fuses are the police officers of electric current?

Fuses protect an electrical circuit. When current in an electrical circuit becomes dangerously high the fuse will open protecting people and property. Police men/women protect people and property from the dregs of society.


Trans fuse keeps blowing mitsi libero?

Fuses That "Blow" RepeatedlyWithout being able to "hands on" troubleshoot the circuit served by the repeatedly blowing fuse, none of us can identify the specific defect which is causing your problem.Therefore, the following generic answer can be applied to any electrical circuit, whether in a vehicle, or in a building, or whether alternating current [AC] or direct current [DC].Fuses [and Circuit Breakers] are safety devices designed and installed in electrical circuits TO PROTECT the conductors [wires] and other components from short circuit conditions and/or overload conditions which cause an extremely large flow of electrical current [measured in Amperes], which causes overheating of the conductors that results in damage to the insulation and the conductors.And in a worst case scenario, the probability of a FIRE which could destroy the vehicle, house, or other structure in which the circuit is located.When a fuse or Circuit Breaker [and replacement fuses, or "tripping" Circuit Breakers] "blow," especially if it happens repeatedly, is an indication of an UNSAFE CONDITION in that circuit, usually a short.The fuse or circuit breaker is doing what it was designed, intended, and installed to do, protect the conductors and components of the circuit which it serves.The proper "fix" is for a qualified technician, who knows what he or she is doing, to troubleshoot the involved circuit, find and identify the defect, and make proper repair [s], BEFORE replacing the fuse again [with the properly sized fuse or before resetting a circuit breaker].Some ignorant people will suggest installing a larger fuse or breaker to solve the problem, BUT that will only increase the hazard, not correct it.Do not follow "bad" advice by installing a larger fuse in a misguided attempt to correct the problem. To install an over-sized fuse would almost guarantee damage to the wiring and an electrical system fire.


Why fuse to pcm keeps blowing?

Fuses That "Blow" RepeatedlyWithout being able to "hands on" troubleshoot the circuit served by the repeatedly blowing fuse, none of us can identify the specific defect which is causing your problem.Therefore, the following generic answer can be applied to any electrical circuit, whether in a vehicle, or in a building, whether direct current [DC], or alternating current [AC].Fuses [and Circuit Breakers] are safety devices designed and installed in electrical circuits TO PROTECT the conductors [wires] and other components from short circuit conditions and/or overload conditions which cause an extremely large flow of electrical current [measured in Amperes], which causes overheating of the conductors that results in damage to the insulation and the conductors.And in a worst case scenario, the probability of a FIRE which could destroy the vehicle, house, or other structure in which the circuit is located.When a fuse or Circuit Breaker [and replacement fuses, or repeatedly "tripping" Circuit Breakers] "blow," especially if it happens repeatedly, is an indication of an UNSAFE CONDITION in that circuit, usually a short.The fuse or circuit breaker is doing what it was designed, intended, and installed to do; that is to protect the conductors and components of the circuit which it serves.The proper "fix" for this issue is for a qualified technician, who knows what he or she is doing, to troubleshoot the involved circuit, find and identify the defect, and make proper repair [s], BEFORE replacing the fuse again [with the properly sized fuse or before resetting a circuit breaker].Some ignorant few people will suggest installing a larger fuse or breaker to solve the problem, BUT that will only increase the hazard, not correct it.Do not follow "bad" advice by installing a larger fuse in a misguided attempt to correct the problem. To install an oversized fuse would almost guarantee damage to the wiring and the probability of an electrical system fire.


Why does your 750 fuel fuse blow?

Fuses That "Blow" RepeatedlyWithout being able to "hands on" troubleshoot the circuit served by the repeatedly blowing fuse, none of us can identify the specific defect which is causing your problem.Therefore, the following generic answer can be applied to any electrical circuit, whether in a vehicle, or in a building, whether direct current [DC], or alternating current [AC].Fuses [and Circuit Breakers] are safety devices designed and installed in electrical circuits TO PROTECT the conductors [wires] and other components from short circuit conditions and/or overload conditions which cause an extremely large flow of electrical current [measured in Amperes], which causes overheating of the conductors that results in damage to the insulation and the conductors.And in a worst case scenario, the probability of a FIRE which could destroy the vehicle, house, or other structure in which the circuit is located.When a fuse or Circuit Breaker [and replacement fuses, or repeatedly "tripping" Circuit Breakers] "blow," especially if it happens repeatedly, is an indication of an UNSAFE CONDITION in that circuit, usually a short.The fuse or circuit breaker is doing what it was designed, intended, and installed to do, that is to protect the conductors and components of the circuit which it serves.The proper "fix" for this issue is for a qualified technician, who knows what he or she is doing, to troubleshoot the involved circuit, find and identify the defect, and make proper repair [s], BEFORE replacing the fuse again [with the properly sized fuse or before resetting a circuit breaker].Some ignorant few people will suggest installing a larger fuse or breaker to solve the problem, BUT that will only increase the hazard, not correct it.Do not follow "bad" advice by installing a larger fuse in a misguided attempt to correct the problem. To install an oversized fuse would almost guarantee damage to the wiring and the probability of an electrical system fire.


Radio fuse keep blowing in 2005 dodge caravan?

Fuses That "Blow" RepeatedlyWithout being able to "hands on" troubleshoot the circuit served by the repeatedly blowing fuse, none of us can identify the specific defect which is causing your problem.Therefore, the following generic answer can be applied to any electrical circuit, whether in a vehicle, or in a building, or whether alternating current [AC] or direct current [DC].Fuses [and Circuit Breakers] are safety devices designed and installed in electrical circuits TO PROTECT the conductors [wires] and other components from short circuit conditions and/or overload conditions which cause an extremely large flow of electrical current [measured in Amperes], which causes overheating of the conductors that results in damage to the insulation and the conductors.And in a worst case scenario, the probability of a FIRE which could destroy the vehicle, house, or other structure in which the circuit is located.When a fuse or Circuit Breaker [and replacement fuses, or "tripping" Circuit Breakers] "blow," especially if it happens repeatedly, is an indication of an UNSAFE CONDITION in that circuit, usually a short.The fuse or circuit breaker is doing what it was designed, intended, and installed to do, protect the conductors and components of the circuit which it serves.The proper "fix" is for a qualified technician, who knows what he or she is doing, to troubleshoot the involved circuit, find and identify the defect, and make proper repair [s], BEFORE replacing the fuse again [with the properly sized fuse or before resetting a circuit breaker].Some ignorant people will suggest installing a larger fuse or breaker to solve the problem, BUT that will only increase the hazard, not correct it.Do not follow "bad" advice by installing a larger fuse in a misguided attempt to correct the problem. To install an over-sized fuse would almost guarantee damage to the wiring and an electrical system fire.


Why does the ignition fuse blow when?

Fuses That "Blow" RepeatedlyWithout being able to "hands on" troubleshoot the circuit served by the repeatedly blowing fuse, no one can identify the specific cause/defect which is causing your problem.Therefore, the following generic answer can be applied to any electrical circuit, whether in a vehicle, or in a building, or whether alternating current [AC] or direct current [DC].Fuses [and Circuit Breakers] are safety devices designed and installed in electrical circuits TO PROTECT the conductors [wires] and other components from short circuit conditions and/or overload conditions which cause an extremely large flow of electrical current [measured in Amperes], which causes overheating of the conductors that results in damage to the insulation and the conductors. And in a worst case scenario, the probability of a FIRE which could destroy the vehicle, house, or other structure in which the circuit is located.When a fuse or Circuit Breaker [and replacement fuses, or "tripping" Circuit Breakers] "blow," especially if it happens repeatedly, is an indication of an UNSAFE CONDITION in that circuit, usually a short.The fuse or circuit breaker is doing what it was designed, intended, and installed to do, protect the conductors and components of the circuit which it serves.The proper "fix" is for a qualified technician, who knows what he or she is doing, to troubleshoot the involved circuit, find and identify the defect, and make proper repair [s], BEFORE replacing the fuse again [with the properly sized fuse or before resetting a circuit breaker].Some ignorant few people will suggest installing a larger fuse or breaker to solve the problem, BUT that will only increase the hazard, not correct it. Do not follow "bad" advice by installing a larger fuse in a misguided attempt to correct the problem. To install an over-sized fuse would almost guarantee damage to the wiring and an electrical system fire.


Why does your House water pump keeps blowing fuse?

Fuses That "Blow" RepeatedlyWithout being able to "hands on" troubleshoot the circuit served by the repeatedly blowing fuse, none of us can identify the specific defect which is causing your problem.Therefore, the following generic answer can be applied to any electrical circuit, whether in a vehicle, or in a building, or whether alternating current [AC] or direct current [DC].Fuses [and Circuit Breakers] are safety devices designed and installed in electrical circuits TO PROTECT the conductors [wires] and other components from short circuit conditions and/or overload conditions which cause an extremely large flow of electrical current [measured in Amperes], which causes overheating of the conductors that results in damage to the insulation and the conductors.And in a worst case scenario, the probability of a FIRE which could destroy the vehicle, house, or other structure in which the circuit is located.When a fuse or Circuit Breaker [and replacement fuses, or "tripping" Circuit Breakers] "blow," especially if it happens repeatedly, is an indication of an UNSAFE CONDITION in that circuit, usually a short.The fuse or circuit breaker is doing what it was designed, intended, and installed to do, protect the conductors and components of the circuit which it serves.The proper "fix" is for a qualified technician, who knows what he or she is doing, to troubleshoot the involved circuit, find and identify the defect, and make proper repair [s], BEFORE replacing the fuse again [with the properly sized fuse or before resetting a circuit breaker].Some ignorant people will suggest installing a larger fuse or breaker to solve the problem, BUT that will only increase the hazard, not correct it.Do not follow "bad" advice by installing a larger fuse in a misguided attempt to correct the problem. To install an over-sized fuse would almost guarantee damage to the wiring and an electrical system fire.