What is Electrical Overload Protection?
What is Electrical Overload Protection?
Power Distribution in Your Home
Your home’s main entrance panel sends electricity through various circuits. The 110–120-volt circuits use two conductors — a neutral (white) wire and a hot (black) wire. The 220–240-volt circuits may use two hot wires or add a third, neutral wire. In every case, the hot lines connect directly to the hot main buses, and the neutral wire connects to the ground bus. Never, under any circumstances, should the neutral wire pass through a fuse or circuit breaker.
How Fuses and Circuit Breakers Protect You
Fuses and circuit breakers safeguard your electrical system. Without them, running too many appliances on a single circuit could overheat the cable, cause a short circuit, and potentially start a fire. These safety devices trip or blow to stop the flow of current when a circuit becomes overloaded.
Circuit Protection
Circuit protection devices automatically stop or reduce the flow of electricity when problems arise, such as an overload or short circuit in the wiring. Common devices include fuses, circuit breakers, and ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs). Located in your electrical panel, fuses and breakers interrupt current that exceeds safe limits, preventing overloads and fires. Overloading occurs when appliances draw more power than the system can handle, but lightning strikes can also trigger it.
Ground-Fault Protection
GFCIs prevent electrocution by detecting imbalances between the hot and neutral wires. If they sense a change in current, they immediately shut off power. You’ll typically find GFCIs in outlets, but some are built into circuit breakers. Homes built before 1973 often lack GFCIs because they were not required then. The National Electrical Code now recommends them, especially in outdoor areas where tools are used.
Keep Your System Safe
Have a licensed electrician inspect your system to determine if any circuit protection devices need replacing. Regular maintenance keeps your electrical system safe and protects your home.
