If you have ever flipped a switch and plunged your entire house into darkness, you might have experienced an overloaded circuit. Homes rely on a safety device to prevent electrical fires in such situations. There are two main types: fuse boxes and circuit breaker panels. We’ll break down the pros and cons of each to see which one keeps your home safer and provides more convenience.
The Old Guard: Fuse Boxes
Fuse boxes have been around for a long time, and they are described as the grandpas of electrical safety devices. Each circuit in your house is protected by a fuse, a thin piece of metal that melts when too much current flows through it. If there is an overload, the fuse melts to cut off power to the circuit and prevent damage.
Fuse boxes offer an advantage. Their simple design means there are fewer parts to malfunction. However, their limitations are significant. Once a fuse blows, you need to replace it with the exact same type and amperage rating. Using the wrong fuse can be a fire hazard. Replacing a blown fuse can be inconvenient, especially in the dark, and it requires finding the right replacement and fiddling with the fuse box. Additionally, fuses wear out over time and need periodic replacement even if they have not blown. Perhaps the biggest drawback is that fuse boxes often do not have the capacity to handle the electrical demands of modern homes filled with electronics.
The New Sheriff in Town: Circuit Breaker Panels
Circuit breaker panels are the modern standard for electrical safety. They use a different approach than fuse boxes. Instead of a one-time-use fuse, each circuit has a switch called a circuit breaker. If there is an overload, the breaker trips to automatically cut off power to the circuit.
Circuit breaker panels offer several advantages over fuse boxes. The beauty of circuit breakers is that you can reset them. Once the overload is resolved, you can simply flip the breaker switch back on and restore power. There is no need to hunt for replacement parts. Unlike fuses that might blow prematurely, circuit breakers can often handle temporary surges in current without tripping. This can be helpful for appliances with high startup loads, such as refrigerators. Circuit breaker panels can accommodate a wider range of amperage ratings to allow for more flexibility in your electrical system. Additionally, circuit breaker panels often have indicator lights that show which circuit has tripped to make it easier to identify the source of the problem.
No matter what type of electrical safety device you have, it is critical to understand how it works and how to troubleshoot basic problems. To schedule an inspection of your electric panel or fuse box to keep your Bakersfield, CA home safe, call Angeloni Electrical Services straight away.
