Question

Define the following:

a) What is a circuit breaker and where is it used in a building electrical system?

b) What is a fuse and where is it used in a building electrical system?

c) What are types of conductor (wire) materials and where are they used in building electrical systems?

Answer 1

a) circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by excess current from an overload or short circuit. It's basic function is to interrupt current flow after a fault is detected. Unlike a fuse, which operates once then it should be replaced but circuit breaker can be reset to normal operation. The three main circuit breaker are used in home are standard,GFCI,AFCI..

b) fuse is a small thin conductor designed to melt separate in to two pieces for the purpose of breaking the circuit in the event of excessive current. Fuses are usually used as conduct between electrical power source and an electrical component arranged in an electrical circuits. Fuses are used on power system up to 115000 volts AC

c)Types of conductor materials are

1) cadmium copper conductor

2)steel core copper conductor

3) copper welded conductor etc.....

In the case of householding wiring, the conductor itself usually copper or alluminium...