What Is the Function of a Circuit Breaker?

Fuse boxes house circuit breaker switches. They are typically located in a closet or in a basement. On average, a circuit breaker box contains 12 switches. Large appliances such as a washer or dryer typically have a dedicated switch. Large rooms, such as a living room, usually have an individual switch.

A newer development in circuit breaker technology is ground fault circuit interrupters. Their purpose is to prevent electrical shock to people.