Preparing Your Home For High Capacity Success - Factors When Choosing Your Circuit Breaker
Posted on: 10 May 2017
If you're in the middle of designing a new home or replacing the electrical infrastructure in the home you currently live in, the options in circuit breakers may seem overwhelming. Without specialized training, you may be skeptical of your ability to choose the right circuit breaker type. However, some factors are consistent and can be weighed in each selection.
Below, you'll find a guide to some things you should consider before installing a circuit breaker in your home. Making sure to evaluate each of these will help guarantee that your system remains stable, and will also allow you to feel like you've made responsible choices in your attempts to secure your property permanently.
Load Capacity
Fundamentally, the underlying factor behind any electrical system installation or upgrade is how much power will regularly be needed. In a smaller home, you may be able to get away with a smaller capacity circuit breaker, but even then it may be logical to leave yourself room for expansion in the future.
In addition to the maximum load available for your circuit breaker, you also have to evaluate local building codes and electric safety rules. Be sure to consult with your local authorities, as the percentage of the capacity you use through your circuit breaker is often capped in such a way that you'll need to install a larger breaker than you suspect.
Compatibility
Not all circuit breakers can be used with every system, and depending on the existing electrical infrastructure in your home or the limitations on your construction, you may be limited in the breakers you're able to install.
Indeed, verifying that your selection is compatible with your planned setup is absolutely crucial. Not only will an incompatible circuit breaker type have difficulty in even creating a closed circuit, it may eventually substantially increase the risk of an overload and leave you vulnerable to power failures or even a fire.
Safety
Ultimately, your installation project will be under more restrictions than simply picking out the right breaker. Building installation codes and other local ordinances are likely to govern the overall process, and if you're not familiar with upgrading or installing a circuit breaker, you may find yourself struggling to meet those restrictions. For this reason, if you're an inexperienced installer, you should consult an equipment professional with assistance in guiding you to a breaker that can be installed safely, easily, and without risk to you and your loved ones.
For more information, contact companies like Enercon Engineering Inc.
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