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The wire!! The breaker is there to protect the wiring not the device plugged into the circuit.
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11y ago
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6mo ago

When installing a circuit breaker, you size the breaker based on the wire size. The breaker should be matched to the ampacity of the wire to ensure proper protection against overloads and short circuits. The device being controlled by the breaker is not a determining factor in sizing the breaker.

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Q: When installing a circuit breaker do you size the breaker to correct wire size or the device its controlling?
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What is the requirement for energizing a 120 volt circuit breaker?

Before energizing a breaker for a circuit, the circuit has to be clear of any short circuits or grounds. This can be accomplished by the use of a megger on the correct voltage setting.


What size amp circuit breaker should be used for a home entertainment system?

You use the correct size breaker depending on the size wire in the circuit. If the circuit is wired with AWG #12 wire use a 20 amp breaker. If it is wired with AWG #14 wire then use a 15 amp breaker.


How many 250-watt 240 VAC HPS fixtures can be installedon a house with a twenty-amp breaker?

15, but I wonder if your information is correct. The breaker size doesn't seem to be right and a 240v circuit in a house uses a 2 pole breaker.


Is it safe to trip a breaker by touching the hot wire to the ground wire if you cannot identify the correct breaker?

This is one way that can locate hidden circuit breakers. It is not the best way because an arc flash could result if the breaker does not trip. An arc flash can generate enough heat instantaneously to burn the flesh off of any exposed skin. If there is combustible products or combustible air mixture that is in the general location of the arc, a fire could be easily started. The way that I do it is to load the circuit. I have a 3000 watt heater that I plug in to the circuit that I am trying to locate the breaker for. This loads the 15 amp circuit to 25 amps. The circuit breaker is located in a few seconds.


Why won't the switch on my breaker box stay on?

This is properly understood when Ohm's Law is applied: Voltage, Amperege and Resistance are correctly applied to a circuit for it's correct function. The circuit breaker acts as a protective device and trips when a correct electrical circuit does not exist. The wrong breaker may have been installed. the wrong gauge of wire may have been used, the pumps and heaters may be drawing more amps then planned for or a short circuit or loose connection are all possible faults. Contact the electrician that installed the system for resolution of the problem or an outside electrician if the problem isn't corrected. Caution: Water and Electricity should not be trusted when in close proximity.

Related questions

What procedure should be followed when a circuit breaker trips?

Look for the cause of the trip and correct. Reset the circuit breaker. If it continues to trip it might be an overloaded circuit, loose connections in the circuit, or a short in the wiring somewhere.


What is the requirement for energizing a 120 volt circuit breaker?

Before energizing a breaker for a circuit, the circuit has to be clear of any short circuits or grounds. This can be accomplished by the use of a megger on the correct voltage setting.


What size amp circuit breaker should be used for a home entertainment system?

You use the correct size breaker depending on the size wire in the circuit. If the circuit is wired with AWG #12 wire use a 20 amp breaker. If it is wired with AWG #14 wire then use a 15 amp breaker.


Which is the correct spelling - controlling or controlling?

The correct spelling is "controlling."


What happens when the circuit is complete and the switches are closed?

*Look at the simple circuit illustrated in Figure A-2. What will happen when only switch S1 is closed? Correct Answer= "Nothing will happen-the light bulb won't light up." <<>> If there is a load in the circuit the load will operate. If there is no load in the circuit and it is complete then a short circuit will occur and something in the circuit will burn open. If the circuit is complete and there is a fuse or breaker in the circuit, then the fuse or breaker will open the circuit.


Can you add a larger breaker to run a second appliance on a circuit?

No, absolutely not. The breaker is there to protect the wiring within that circuit from overheating and catching on fire. If you add a larger breaker and the wire stays the same the wire is no longer protected by the correct amp breaker. You could cause a fire. The breaker must match the size wire being used. Do this and you risk burning your home to the ground and possibly killing your family.


How many 250-watt 240 VAC HPS fixtures can be installedon a house with a twenty-amp breaker?

15, but I wonder if your information is correct. The breaker size doesn't seem to be right and a 240v circuit in a house uses a 2 pole breaker.


Is it safe to trip a breaker by touching the hot wire to the ground wire if you cannot identify the correct breaker?

This is one way that can locate hidden circuit breakers. It is not the best way because an arc flash could result if the breaker does not trip. An arc flash can generate enough heat instantaneously to burn the flesh off of any exposed skin. If there is combustible products or combustible air mixture that is in the general location of the arc, a fire could be easily started. The way that I do it is to load the circuit. I have a 3000 watt heater that I plug in to the circuit that I am trying to locate the breaker for. This loads the 15 amp circuit to 25 amps. The circuit breaker is located in a few seconds.


How do you protect two power in one circuit?

If the question means "two loads in one circuit" then the load currents have to be added together. The breaker that protects the circuit is sized for the total loading of the circuit. These two loads of course will be in parallel with each other. Find the wattage of the two loads if the amperage is not available. The equation is W = A x V. Watts = Amps x Volts. Once the total amperage of the circuit is found select the correct wire size for that amperage. The breaker protects the wire size so then select the proper breaker for that wire size.


1996 jetta anti theft malfuction due to blowen fuse?

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.The following generic answer applies 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 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.


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 would your 1988 accord high beam fuse keep blowing?

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 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.