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Chapter 7: Problem 26

A 20-A fuse in a household electric circuit burns out. What catastrophe could occur if it is replaced by a \(30-\mathrm{A}\) fuse?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: Replacing a 20-A fuse with a 30-A fuse in a household electric circuit can lead to dangerous situations such as overheating, melting of wire insulation, and ignition of flammable materials, potentially causing a fire. Overloaded devices may also malfunction or become damaged, increasing the risk of electrical shock to users.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Fuses

A fuse is a safety device in an electrical circuit that serves to protect the wiring and devices connected to the circuit. It consists of a thin wire or metal strip with a low melting point, which is designed to melt and break the circuit when the current flowing through it exceeds a specified rating (in this case, 20 A). Replacing a 20-A fuse with a 30-A fuse would mean that the fuse wouldn't break the circuit until a current of 30 A is reached.
02

Function of a 20-A Fuse

A 20-A fuse is designed to break the circuit when the current exceeds 20 A. This means that the wiring and the devices connected to the circuit are designed to handle a maximum current of 20 A. If the current exceeds 20 A, the fuse will melt, breaking the circuit and preventing any damage to the wiring or connected devices.
03

Replacing with a 30-A Fuse

If the 20-A fuse is replaced with a 30-A fuse, the circuit will not be interrupted until the current reaches 30 A. This may result in an overload situation where the current running through the circuit is higher than what the wiring and electrical devices are designed to handle.
04

Potential Catastrophe

Suppose the current exceeds 20 A but stays below 30 A. In that case, the 30-A fuse will not break the circuit, resulting in the overloaded wires and devices continuously conducting the excess current. This can lead to overheating, causing the insulation on the wires to melt and possibly igniting flammable materials nearby, resulting in a fire. In addition, overloaded devices may malfunction or become damaged, increasing the risk of electrical shock to anyone using them.

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