Is it better to use a circuit breaker or a fuse in your electrical system? This lays out the difference of circuit breakers versus fuses. Both of them work well. The purchase of a new home will probably...
The purchase of a new home will probably be the biggest purchase most consumers will make in their lifetimes. So, it's only natural to expect that a new homeowner is going to want to deck their home out with the best.
The best furniture, the best carpet, the best curtains, and certainly the best accessories will more than likely be on the top of every new homeowner's list. But instead of worrying about the type of furniture, carpet, or curtains that will be brought into the home, consumers are starting to realize that protecting those items from possible safety hazards can be just as important as choosing the right ones.
Two of the most common areas that consumers target first are protection from possible theft and fire danger. But, as technology continues to grow, so does our dependency on the electricity that helps power these devices. And the field of electronic safety is where most consumers sometimes lack information.
Two devices to help with electric home safety are circuit breakers and fuses. A circuit breaker is defined as an electromechanical device designed to quickly break its electrical connection should a short circuit or electrical overload occur. A fuse is described as a device designed to provide protection for a given circuit or device by physically opening the circuit. Fuses are rated by their amperage and are designed to blow or open when the current being drawn through it exceeds its design rating. A circuit breaker is similar to a fuse, except it will rest itself or can be manually rest, and will again conduct electricity.
Michael G. Clendenin is the executive director for the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI). ESFI is North America's only non-profit organization exclusively dedicated to the promotion of electrical safety in the home, school, and workplace. He has created a catalog of electrical safety resources, issuing safety tips through publications, media relations, and their website. He currently acts as the spokesperson for the ESFI and the electrical industry on matters of electrical safety awareness. Clendenin says that both fuses and circuit breakers are great devices when dealing with electrical safety and can be a huge help with the safety conditions of a home when used properly.
"Either is safe if used appropriately and appropriately maintained," he says. "Circuit breakers offer an added level of convenience in the event of an inadvertent overload."
"The main difference between circuit breakers and fuses is that circuit breakers can be reset while fuses operate only once and then must be replaced," he adds. "If your breakers or fuses trip repeatedly, call an electrician because you may have a problem with your electrical system."
"With circuit breakers, you can also have the ability to purchase breakers that incorporate GFCI protection and newer protective technology," says Clendenin. "The arc fault circuit interrupters, which act much like the GFCI, can be installed as well. However, they detect arcing on the circuit, and they act to shut off the circuit to prevent an electrical fire."
