Circuit Breakers and Fuses

Looking for circuit breakers or fuses? For your convenience, we have these products listed in separate categories with direct links here: DC Circuit Breakers, AC Circuit Breakers, Fuses and Fuse Holders.

Circuit breakers and fuses are over-current protection devices. That means when the flow of electricity is greater than what the circuit was designed for, the over-current device breaks the circuit and stops the flow. Using a circuit breaker or fuse in the circuit can mean the difference between safety and complete disaster. For this protection to work however, the over-current device has to be sized properly so that it opens the circuit before the wiring or other devices begin to fail. Choosing the right size and type of breaker or fuse is essential.

Never use AC fuses or circuit breakers in DC circuits. Disrupting the current flow in a DC circuit is much more challenging than in an AC circuit, and DC circuit breakers and fuses are specially designed to do the job. An AC over-current device can fail to open a DC circuit in an emergency and possibly weld itself closed, also preventing the circuit from being switched off manually.

Sometimes people are in a budget crunch when they are buying components for their renewable energy system, and overcurrent protection adds to the cost. There is a strong temptation to skip over things that don't seem essential to the operation of the system. Don't do it! Your life, or the life of someone you love may depend on having the correct safety equipment in place. Do whatever it takes to be sure that all circuits in your power system are properly protected.

Circuit breakers or fuses? Fuses work just as well as circuit breakers as long as you use the correct fuse. Fuses however, have two disadvantages. First, they can be expensive to replace if they "blow" and you may not have a spare on hand, which can leave your system inoperable. Second, they don't offer a convenient way of switching the circuit off, especially when the circuit is under load. But fuses can be a good choice for certain circuits, or when economy is a primary consideration.

Need help? Contact us for assistance with choosing the right over-current device for your needs.