Sunday, December 9, 2007

When is there an overload in a circuit?

Overload happens in a situation where the wiring to or within a machine or system is subjected to a greater electric current load than it was designed to carry, leading to excessive heating of the wires and a possibility of fire. This excessive current load can be a result of electrical insulation failure ( a short circuit) or human error. A correctly designed electrical system incorporates suitable overload protection devices to prevent damage should such a situation occur. Fuses and circuit breakers are most commonly employed for this purpose.
Here are some pictures about overload and its cause:

No comments: