Circuit Breakers - Purpose

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llmay

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What is the main purpose of a circuit breaker other than a nifty way to kill a circuit? Just talking about a standard branch circuit breaker, no GFCI or AFC type... Example: QO120.
Please back-up your answer with a documentation
reference.
 
Re: Circuit Breakers - Purpose

Overcurrent, overload, ground-fault and short circuit protection, a disconnecting means and a switching means.

Documentation: The National Electrical Code.
 
Re: Circuit Breakers - Purpose

To that I will add that the purpose of the breaker is to protect the conductor that leads from the breaker to the load. Its purpose is not to protect the load itself. Same reference.
 
Re: Circuit Breakers - Purpose

Whenever I see a question that makes the demand "Please back-up your answer with a documentation reference", I can only think it is a legal question or a homework assignment. Please let me know if you want a complete and detailed engineer answer, or one that is only one or two sentences long?

My possible references may include, NEC, NEMA AB-1, American Electricians Handbook, and Uncle Andy's Do-it-yourself wiring.
 
Re: Circuit Breakers - Purpose

Well lets start with what OCPD means.When i see odd posts i view how long they been member and read there other posts.Same day 1 st post sends up a flag.
 
Re: Circuit Breakers - Purpose

What about a long time member, who just pops up every six months or so to ask an obscure question and never give thanks for a reply? :D
 
Re: Circuit Breakers - Purpose

current creates heat too much current create too much heat,Too much heat well you know the rest

I like to tell the kids that there is a reason it's called the National Fire Protection Association.

Charlie
 
Re: Circuit Breakers - Purpose

George ,some come here often cause they enjoy this forum,others just use it as free info and never ofer help back or a thanks.Personally i learn a lot here.Sort of school for free and testing up to yourself ;)
 
Re: Circuit Breakers - Purpose

I'm surprised that a moderator hasn't closed this thread. This sounds like a DIY or maybe an attorney. I have never even had a first day apprentice ask this. I realize there is no such thing as a stupid question, but this is the equivalent of a mechanic saying why do we put oil in engines. Just my thoughts, no offense to anyone.
 
Re: Circuit Breakers - Purpose

Jim,
Your right, the question just really seemed odd, especially the part about backing up the answer.
 
Re: Circuit Breakers - Purpose

I haven?t closed this thread because I do not suspect a DIY, nor an attorney, nor a violation of the Forum rules. I have read all the posts by this member, and I am willing to accept his assertion that he is a contractor. Perhaps he is a general contractor, and not an electrical contractor. But that counts as being sufficiently involved in the profession to have the right to ask ?how-to? questions.
 
Re: Circuit Breakers - Purpose

Originally posted by georgestolz:
Dang. My guess was "to make the circuit talk. Everything has a breaking point."
Click to expand...
And this "Circuit Breaker would sound like this, "Ve have Vays to get zee informashiun from zee Circuit". :D

I agree with Jim D, it sounds like homework.

Roger
 
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