Circuit Breaker Questions

[Megalomaniac 5,000+ posts]

I have a few questions about circuit breakers. I realize a chemically melting fuse would be more reliable. hate to contradict now but are circuit breakers that bad.

1.the cause of breakers damaging/shorting is because of it being tripped 1 too many times correct?

2. What if just use a breaker on my main line, it wont trip that often enough(probably none).

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[thejoker989 10+ year member]

I have a few questions about circuit breakers. I realize a chemically melting fuse would be more reliable. hate to contradict now but are circuit breakers that bad.
1.the cause of breakers damaging/shorting is because of it being tripped 1 too many times correct?

2. What if just use a breaker on my main line, it wont trip that often enough(probably none).

I always test my fuse with a direct short before putting them in. If it blows its good and i put it in. Only problem is when I use this technique it does something to my amps because they never turn on?????.......

but seriously, have you had problems with fuses not blowing when they should? I think fuses are most reliable because they dont have any mechanical parts like a circuit breaker.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

I have never blown a main fuse. Ever. I have ANL fuses in use in my system that are almost 12 years old. That said I know that they are reliable as the day they came out of the package.

I can't say the same for a breaker. Whether it trips from doing its job or because you're using it as a switch to kill power to the system so you can work on it, every time it is opened, you've shortened its life and it is less reliable. If you want one for a switch back it up with a fuse and replace it every several times you trip it (it won't carry the rated current after you've tripped it a couple of times and pitted the contacts). If you want one for system/car protection, do it right and get a good fuse holder and a properly sized fuse and never have to worry about it. If everything is properly sized, it will never blow unless it is to save your car.

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

I have a few questions about circuit breakers. I realize a chemically melting fuse would be more reliable. hate to contradict now but are circuit breakers that bad.

Just a OCD type correction. It's thermally, not chemical //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[Megalomaniac 5,000+ posts]

Just a OCD type correction. It's thermally, not chemical //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

OCD lmao. Im that way too, but i didnt know..my fault

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

As stated I would always use a fuse over a circuit breaker.

I have seen a couple circuit breakers not disconnect upon shorting and that really makes a mess out of things.

 

[Megalomaniac 5,000+ posts]

I have never blown a main fuse. Ever. I have ANL fuses in use in my system that are almost 12 years old. That said I know that they are reliable as the day they came out of the package.
I can't say the same for a breaker. Whether it trips from doing its job or because you're using it as a switch to kill power to the system so you can work on it, every time it is opened, you've shortened its life and it is less reliable. If you want one for a switch back it up with a fuse and replace it every several times you trip it (it won't carry the rated current after you've tripped it a couple of times and pitted the contacts). If you want one for system/car protection, do it right and get a good fuse holder and a properly sized fuse and never have to worry about it. If everything is properly sized, it will never blow unless it is to save your car.

no worries. i wanted one to save space and to keep it hidden.the KNU anl holders are hideous & big/bulky. i own 2 of them. I am now getting some OEM looking ones that are more rectangle and rugid looks more OEM and hidden....different company

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

OCD lmao. Im that way too, but i didnt know..my fault

It's all good. No one is expected to know everything. You live you learn. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif