2007-08-05 17:17:41 · 7 answers · asked by slb20062003 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
breakers are as safe as fuses.
It is when people over-load and over size wires and breakers,fuses that a problems happen.
(AWG) American wire gage is the size of wire,the amp rating on wires is where the over-loads come in #14 wire 15 amp,#12 wire 20 amp,#10 wire 30 amp,etc..
However because a fuse or breaker trips you must not over sized the protection for the circuit wire.
It may very well be easier to put a #14 wire on a 30 amp fuse or breaker to make everything work.
However when you are watching the house burn down or holding a dead baby you will understand the reason for code and safety inspections.
Try to be safe !!!!
2007-08-06 16:00:14 · answer #1 · answered by greg w 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a very open question. Circuit breakers keep an electrical circuit from becoming overloaded and possibly, if not probably, causing a fire because the insulation on the wiring burns up.When the insulation on the wiring burns up, it means that the wires themselves are hot enough to ignite the materials (wood etc) that the structure is composed of. This is how electrical fires are started. Your question would be better answered if you asked, i.e., how safe would my home electrical system be without circuit breakers? NOT VERY! Circuit breakers make an electrical system safe by protecting it from being over loaded, so, yes, circuit breakers are not only safe, they are essential to a safe wiring system.
2007-08-06 00:29:54 · answer #2 · answered by haywoodwhy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NEW CIRCUIT BREAKERS ARE TESTED AND SAFE. AS THEY AGE THEY TEND TO TRIP AT LOWER CURRENT UNTIL THEY DON'T HOLD WITH A LOAD. LIKE AN OLD 20 AMP MIGHT START BLOWING AT 18 THEN MUCH LATER 15 AMPS. THIS PRESUMES THAT THEY WERE INSTALLED IN THE PROPER APPLICATION IN THE FIRST PLACE AND THAT SOMEONE DID NOT PUT A 20 AMP IN PLACE OF A 15 AMP OVER THE YEARS.
2007-08-06 00:24:45 · answer #3 · answered by hghjsln 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is UL proof .
Any electric product must pass UL inspection (under writers laboratories) without this sign do not try use electric products.
2007-08-06 00:33:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah they are a lot safer than fuses in a residental dwelling. You would not believe the times I have copper pennies in fuses (socket type screw in) to keep them from blowing. Nor the times I have found thirty amp fuses in older fuse boxes where it should have been fifteen amps fuses.
2007-08-06 00:30:16 · answer #5 · answered by JUAN FRAN$$$ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes they are they protect your electrical system from being overloaded with current, thus preventing danger such as fires.
2007-08-06 00:32:18 · answer #6 · answered by J. K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they are safe.
2007-08-06 09:22:16 · answer #7 · answered by John himself 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋