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GFI is a mini circuit breaker that responds to shorts or contact with water

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What device can break an electric circuit?

There are 2 different types of these devices: circuit breakers (which can be reset after the problem is fixed) and fuses (which must be replaced after the problem is fixed).


Should a circuit breaker get hot on very hot days?

If a breaker isn't tripping, yet still feels quite warm, you probably are close to having too many appliances on its circuit. Breakers trip because of overloads (too many appliances), or shorts ( bare wires touching each other). These situations are quite dangerous and need to be corrected. If you can't find the problem, contact an electrician right away, and keep the circuit off.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.


What should you do if a circuit breaker feels spongy and won't reset?

Some breakers must be turned all the way to the OFF position after they have tripped.Before you spend a lot of money, just flip the breaker all the way to the off position THEN try to turn it back on.Other answersIf this circuit breaker is a GFCI or RCD and it won't reset when you press its RESET button, it is doing its job.It is telling you there is something wrong in the circuit it is protecting.It may be a fault within an appliance (or its flexible cord or its plug) that is plugged into a socket outlet on the circuit being protected by the circuit breaker.To find out, disconnect all appliances on the circuit and then press the RESET button. If the breaker no longer feels spongy then you know if is not a fault in the circuit wiring.Then press the TEST button on the breaker. If it immediately trips then you know that the breaker itself is not faulty.Then press the RESET button again and re-connect one appliance at a time until you find the one that causes the breaker to trip off. That is the appliance (or its flexible cord or plug) which has a fault that is causing the breaker to trip. The fault will have to be repaired - or the appliance will need to be replaced - before the circuit breaker can be reset with that item connected to the circuit.Sometimes a fault can develop inside a socket outlet and there is now a "Neutral-to-Ground" short, or even a "Live-to-Ground" short, in the wiring to the outlet. Usually such shorts occur in the wall box behind the outlet because the wiring was done carelessly. Such a fault will also prevent a GFCI or RCD from being reset. That kind of fault must be fixed before the circuit breaker can be reset.If it is a regular circuit breaker it might be that the breaker is mechanically defective.For more information click on the links to the Related Questions shown below.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.


How a fuse controls the flow of electric current in a circuit?

A fuse does not control the flow in a circuit, it limits the current in a circuit. If the load in a circuit shorts out the fuse link melts and opens the circuit and stops the current flow and prevents the wires feeding the circuit from melting and catching fire. resist


What happens if a circuit shorts to ground before the load?

If a circuit shorts to ground before the load, it will create a path of least resistance for the current to flow directly to ground instead of through the load. This can cause excessive current to pass through the shorted section of the circuit, potentially leading to overheating, equipment damage, and circuit failure. It can also cause the load to not operate as intended or not receive power at all.

Related Questions

What device can break an electric circuit?

There are 2 different types of these devices: circuit breakers (which can be reset after the problem is fixed) and fuses (which must be replaced after the problem is fixed).


Why is it important that homes have circuit breakers?

Fuses and circuit breakers are meant to protect your home's wiring from the heat generated from fault-currents and over-currents. Over-currents happen when you exceed the amperage the fuse or breaker is rated for over a period of time (IE: drawing 20 amps on a 15 amp circuit breaker). When this occurs a fuse or circuit breaker will open the circuit so the wiring in your home will not be damaged. Over-currents happen when electricity finds a path, other than the one intended, to ground. When this happens there is very little resistance to slow the flow of electricity and the amperage through the circuit can exceed the fuse or circuit breakers rated capacity by several hundred times . These type of faults cause the fuse or circuit breaker to open the circuit very quickly.


How works oil circuit breakers?

A circuit breaker is a safety device that is put in an electrical circuit. When something fails, or shorts out, the circuit breaker "senses" the excessive current and automatically opens (or breaks) the circuit. They are used in homes, as well as some electrical devices. They are different than a fuse in that a circuit breaker can be reset. A fuse on the other hand, has to be replaced once it opens up. I hope this helps you. for more info, here is a web page about circuit breakers: <a href="http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-circuit-breaker.htm">Ciruit breakers</a>


What is the medium voltage of circuit breaker?

low is below 600V medium 600 to 2500V High above 2500V usually medium and high voltage equipment is called switchgear the current is monitored and 3 shorts within 10 minutes will open the switch overloads are usually 200% for over 20 minutes but the big stuff is programable


How does a shunt trip relay work?

A shunt capacitor creates a low resistance path in a circuit so that electricity can pass around to another point. Shunt capacitors create shorts when they receive abnormally high amounts of voltage to correct series circuits.


Should a circuit breaker get hot on very hot days?

If a breaker isn't tripping, yet still feels quite warm, you probably are close to having too many appliances on its circuit. Breakers trip because of overloads (too many appliances), or shorts ( bare wires touching each other). These situations are quite dangerous and need to be corrected. If you can't find the problem, contact an electrician right away, and keep the circuit off.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.


What should you do if a circuit breaker feels spongy and won't reset?

Some breakers must be turned all the way to the OFF position after they have tripped.Before you spend a lot of money, just flip the breaker all the way to the off position THEN try to turn it back on.Other answersIf this circuit breaker is a GFCI or RCD and it won't reset when you press its RESET button, it is doing its job.It is telling you there is something wrong in the circuit it is protecting.It may be a fault within an appliance (or its flexible cord or its plug) that is plugged into a socket outlet on the circuit being protected by the circuit breaker.To find out, disconnect all appliances on the circuit and then press the RESET button. If the breaker no longer feels spongy then you know if is not a fault in the circuit wiring.Then press the TEST button on the breaker. If it immediately trips then you know that the breaker itself is not faulty.Then press the RESET button again and re-connect one appliance at a time until you find the one that causes the breaker to trip off. That is the appliance (or its flexible cord or plug) which has a fault that is causing the breaker to trip. The fault will have to be repaired - or the appliance will need to be replaced - before the circuit breaker can be reset with that item connected to the circuit.Sometimes a fault can develop inside a socket outlet and there is now a "Neutral-to-Ground" short, or even a "Live-to-Ground" short, in the wiring to the outlet. Usually such shorts occur in the wall box behind the outlet because the wiring was done carelessly. Such a fault will also prevent a GFCI or RCD from being reset. That kind of fault must be fixed before the circuit breaker can be reset.If it is a regular circuit breaker it might be that the breaker is mechanically defective.For more information click on the links to the Related Questions shown below.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.


If a parallel circuit shorts at the battery will the entire circuit short out too?

If at battery,parallel circuit shorts then equivalent resistance of circuit becomes approximately 0 Ohms,and therefore as current follows low resistance path infinite amount of current due to low resistance will flow through the wire so,entire parallel circuit will short out,but wire will burn and battery may get damaged. Name:Sumit Karnik.


How a fuse controls the flow of electric current in a circuit?

A fuse does not control the flow in a circuit, it limits the current in a circuit. If the load in a circuit shorts out the fuse link melts and opens the circuit and stops the current flow and prevents the wires feeding the circuit from melting and catching fire. resist


What does it mean for an electrical circuit to have a short?

Shorts are usually a style of clothing that prevents one from exposing private areas otherwise unacceptable in a public setting. Electric shorts look much better when put on gradually or slowly. Another interpretation comes from short meaning small. When a circuit is in the beginning process, it is considered to be an "Electrical short circuit".


What are the release dates for The Shorts Show - 2010 In a World Where Ghosts Make Contact 2-2?

The Shorts Show - 2010 In a World Where Ghosts Make Contact 2-2 was released on: USA: 5 February 2012


Why doesTail light circuit board not work on venture?

Because the circuit board shorts out. Get a new one from the parts store they are less than $40 per side