| These days most newer homes a circuit breaker | | | | carry. When a circuit is overloaded the conductors will |
| panel. Many older homes may still have the old style | | | | start to produce heat which in turn can melt the |
| fuse panels. In either case, fuses and circuit breakers | | | | insulation covering and cause an electrical fire. Rather |
| have the same job of protecting branch circuits from | | | | than installing larger fuses and circuit breakers, do it |
| sustained short circuits and overloading. The most | | | | the right way by breaking up reducing the number of |
| common circuit breaker and fuse sizes you're likely to | | | | outlets on overloaded circuits. |
| have are 15 amp, 20 amp, 30 amp, and 40 amp. The | | | | These days houses are wired much differently with |
| circuits which supply lights and receptacles in your | | | | circuit breaker panels housing 32 to 40 branch circuits. |
| home are generally protected by 15 amp or 20 amp | | | | The big advantage of circuit breakers is that they |
| fuses or circuit breakers. Your stove or range would | | | | can be reset where fuses have only one life. To |
| be protected by a 40 amp breaker while your | | | | reset a circuit breaker first turn it all the way off and |
| clothes dryer would have a 30 amp breaker. | | | | then you can switch it back to the on position. When |
| In older homes you will find a multitude of outlets all | | | | a fuse blows you have to replace it. It's a good idea |
| running off of one circuit which results in frequent | | | | if your home has a fusebox to keep 1 or 2 spares of |
| blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers. Some | | | | each size fuse right beside the fuse panel so that |
| homeowners think that if they install a larger fuse or | | | | you can find them easily when needed. It is highly |
| circuit breaker their problems will be solved. While this | | | | recommended that you replace your old fuse panel |
| may prevent blown fuses it creates a dangerous | | | | with a circuit breaker panel. A qualified electrician and |
| overload on the branch circuit wiring. Cables and | | | | an electrical permit will be required for this. |
| conductors are rated by how many amps they can | | | | When prospective home buyers are interested in |
| safely carry continuously. A #14 cable is rated at 15 | | | | your home, or if they hire a home inspector, one of |
| amps and a #12 cable is rated 20 amps. If you were | | | | the important areas of concern is the electrical |
| put in a 30 amp fuse or circuit breaker you will | | | | system. An old fuse panel that is overloaded will |
| exceed the safe limits of the cable. | | | | create a red flag. If you replace your old fuse panel |
| A dangerous situation may occur if a cable carries | | | | with a circuit breaker panel it will be a big plus when |
| more current than it's rated for. Large cables, with | | | | you do decide it's time to sell your home. |
| less resistance, can carry more current than smaller | | | | You may reprint this article on your website provided |
| cables, which have more resistance. It's like a garden | | | | the content is not modified and the resource box |
| hose, the larger the diameter the more water it can | | | | below with live link is retained. |
| carry. The smaller the diameter the less water it can | | | | |