What is a Circuit Breaker?
A circuit breaker is an electrical device used in an electrical panel that monitors and controls the amount of amperes (amps) being sent through the electrical wiring. Circuit breakers come in a variety of sizes. For instance, 10, 15 and 20 amp breakers are used for most power and lighting needs in the typical home. Some appliances and specialty items (washers, dryers, freezers, whirlpools, etc.) will require a larger circuit breaker to handle the electrical load required to run that appliance. If a power surge occurs in the electrical wiring, the breaker will trip. This means that a breaker that was in the “on” position will flip to the “off” position and shut down the electrical power leading from that breaker. Essentially, a circuit breaker is a safety device. When a circuit breaker is tripped, it may prevent a fire from starting on an overloaded circuit; it can also prevent the destruction of the device that is drawing the electricity. While a number of older homes and buildings st
Circuit breakers are strategies or measures that are employed by a stock exchange when there is a need to avert a sense that something catastrophic is about to happen. Sometimes referred to as a collar, the purpose of the circuit breaker is to prevent a panic situation that results in a lot of investors dumping an extreme amount of securities because there is a feeling of an impending crash or significant depression in the market. Essentially, the circuit breaker helps to form a stopgap that keeps a stock exchange on a more even keel until a more reasonable mindset prevails among the traders. The most common configuration for a circuit breaker is to initiate a carefully crafted series of trading halts with a sprinkling of price limits. Generally, the price limits are focused on derivative markets and equities. By creating this temporary status of slowing down, there is a better chance for the commodity exchange process to continue within healthy levels, and not run out of control. As a
A circuit breaker is a device found in most modern homes. All the wiring in the house runs through a central circuit breaker panel. It is the basic black switch at the center of the gray electric panel that acts as a protective device to guard against excessive current. Its main function is to cut the power when there is too much electric current flowing through the wiring. It protects the wiring that runs from the circuit breaker to various switches or outlets. How does a circuit breaker work? Electricity generates friction as it flows through a wire, which in turn generates heat. This heat can sometimes melt the insulation on the wires and if the wires then cross, it generates sparks that may cause fire. All home appliances and cords are designed to keep current at a relatively low level for safety purposes. For example, an extension cord may be rated to withstand 10 amps. Anything in excess of 10 amps may cause the wire to melt. A typical breaker has a bi metallic strip or an electr
It’s easy to confuse a circuit breaker with a fuse. Fuses are most commonly found in older buildings and can be tripped only once. They cannot be reset. A fuse has no reset switch, you must pull it out and install a replacement. A circuit breaker has an on and off switch and is made to be used again and again. Simply reset the switch when the breaker is tripped. Circuit breakers should not be confused with the breaker box where they can be accessed. When the power goes out in the home and you need to reset the breakers, you may need to go into the basement or to the appropriate place in the home where the breaker box is located, open the box and find the tripped switch. You may have several breaker boxes in the home if there are sub panels installed. If you don’t find a tripped breaker in the main box, you may need to investigate the sub panel installed next to the main box or elsewhere in the home.
