Overload Hazards
Overloads in an electrical system are hazardous because they can produce heat or arcing. Wires and other components in an electrical system or circuit have a maximum amount of current they can carry safely.
When too many devices are plugged into a circuit, the electrical current can cause the wires to heat up to a dangerously high temperature. Similarly, if a tool draws too much current, it will also result in the wires becoming excessively hot.
The wires can become hot enough to cause a fire. If the insulation around these wires melts, it can lead to arcing. This arcing has the potential to cause a fire in the area of the overload, which can happen even inside a wall
To prevent excessive current in a circuit, either a circuit breaker or a fuse is used. When too much current flows through the circuit, the breaker 'trips,' acting like a switch to open the circuit. In the case of a fuse, an internal part melts under overload conditions, also opening the circuit. Essentially, both breakers and fuses serve the same purpose: they open the circuit to shut off the electrical current and prevent potential hazards.
If the circuit breakers or fuses are too large for the wires they are meant to protect, they may fail to detect an overload in the circuit. This means the current will not be shut off as needed. Such overloading can lead to the overheating of circuit components, including the wires, potentially causing a fire.
You must recognize that a circuit with improper overcurrent protection devices - or one with no overcurrent protection devices at all - is a hazard.
Real-Life Accidents
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
1-10. Which of the following would be the most likely indication of an electrical circuit overload condition?
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