How to protect a circuit from overcurrent?
Fuses, circuit breakers, or fusible links are the most commonly used methods to provide overcurrent protection to a circuit or the internal wiring of a piece of equipment. Breakers, fuses, and fusible links generally function as conductors and add a negligible amount of resistance to the total circuit.
Why do you need overcurrent protection?
Overcurrent protective devices protect the circuit conductors in two ways. They protect the conductors from overload conditions and from short-circuit or ground-fault conditions. If you put too much of a load on the circuit, the overcurrent device will open.
What is an electrical overcurrent?
An overcurrent is a condition which exists in an electrical circuit when the normal load current is exceeded. The two basic forms of an overcurrent are overloads and short circuits. Fuses and circuits breakers primary role in a circuit is to protect personnel and equipment when dangerous overcurrents do happen.
What is the service entrance of a building electrical system?
The service entrance, as the name implies, is where the wires connected to the load side of the meter enter the house or building. The service entrance in a residence is commonly thought of as a breaker or fuse box.
What is a electrical service lateral?
Service lateral. A service lateral consists of the underground service conductors between the street main – including risers – and the first point of connection to the service-entrance conductors in a terminal box, meter, or other enclosure.
Who is responsible for the service drop?
the utility company
For one thing, the service drop belongs to the utility company, not to the homeowner. For another, power in the service drop cables can be shut off only by the utility company. Homeowners also should not attempt any work on the cables between the service drop and the home’s electrical service panel.
Can I touch a service drop?
Drones and other devices create potential for severing the service drop, causing a downed power line, and in turn a public safety hazard. Never trim trees growing around – or near – a service drop. This work is extremely dangerous; we recommend you contact a professional tree-trimming company to perform this work.
How long can a service drop be?
The service drop conductors are not to pass over more than four feet of a building’s roof to reach the point of attachment. H. The point of attachment (POA) shall be placed so the service conductors do not rub, or come in contact with the building, its eaves, or any intervening building or structure.
