What Happens When a Circuit Becomes Overloaded?
Last Updated Apr 12, 2020 9:02:44 PM ET
When a circuit becomes overloaded it breaks the circuit breaker, if there is any (also known as blowing a fuse). Without a circuit breaker the insulation on the wire could heat up, melt and short the conductors, which could possibly create a fire.
An electric circuit overloads when the current becomes greater than the circuit's design capacity can withstand. Circuit overloads can also be caused by loose or corroded wires and connections. A small overload may be tolerable for a certain amount of time, but a larger overload is only tolerable for a short period and may damage the whole circuit.
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