Did you know that circuit breakers are safety devices? They work to detect overheating, overcurrent, and other potential electrical hazards. When they sense an issue, they respond by shutting off power to the affected outlet or switch.
But there’s more to these devices than simply cutting power when things go south. These protectors also help safeguard homes from fires, shock, and other potential electrical dangers. If you’re interested in learning more about what they do and why they’re so important, read on!
Why Do You Need The Best Circuit Breaker?
If you choose to power your home with direct current electricity, you have no protection against circuit overload. If the flow of current exceeds what your wiring can handle, you risk electrical fires, short circuits, and other hazards.
Furthermore, if you overload the circuit repeatedly, you risk damage to your appliances and wiring. But with alternating current (AC), you get a circuit breaker that responds automatically whenever the current flow reaches the maximum safe level. If you select the right type of breaker, you’ll have fail-safe protection against electrical fires, overloaded circuits, and other hazards.
Types of Circuit Breakers
AC Circuit Breakers – These are the most common type of circuit breakers and are designed to automatically trip when they reach the maximum current level. They’re ideal for most home circuits, and they can be programmed to trip at different levels. AR Circuit Breakers – This type of breaker trips at a set level of current.
It’s often used in situations when AC circuit breakers would repeatedly shut off power when there is no problem. For example, AR breakers are ideal for circuits that have lights that are left on all the time, such as lights in a garage or an outdoor area. High-Voltage Circuit Breakers – These are typically used for circuits that carry large amounts of current, such as appliances, motors, and transformers.
They’re similar to AC circuit breakers, but they have a higher voltage rating and a larger trip range. These circuit breakers are designed to trip at a lower current level than standard AC breakers.
How To Choose The Right Circuit Breaker For Your Home
When you’re shopping for circuit breakers, you’ll find a wide variety of styles and types. So how do you know which is right for your home? The best way to choose is by matching the circuit breakers to your electrical panel.
In most cases, electrical panels come with a 15-amp circuit breaker. But if you have a large home with many circuits, you may want to upgrade to a 20-amp or 30-amp breaker. This will help reduce the chance of electrical overload and breaker tripping.
If you’re not sure of the current load in your home, you can hire an electrician to perform a load calculation and provide you with a report. The report will detail the size and number of breakers you need, as well as how many circuits you can handle without overloading the panel.
Final Words
The electrical system in a home is complex, but fortunately, it’s designed to be safe and easy to use. A circuit breaker is a critical part of that system. Beyond protecting your home and family from electrical fires, circuit breakers also help to ensure that the equipment in your home is well maintained.
They prevent overloading the circuits by tripping off when the current reaches the maximum level. This is particularly important for circuits that have lights and large appliances, such as the washing machine and refrigerator. And while circuit breakers can be somewhat expensive, they’re well worth the investment for their added safety and convenience.
