Question

Explain overloading of household circuit.

Answer 1

Hint: A circuit overload occurs when the amount of current flowing through the circuit exceeds the protection device rating. The term overloading occurs when high-rated appliances such as engines, microwaves, air conditioners, heaters, refrigerators, etc are all used at the same time, so the circuit should not be connected to faulty appliances.

Complete step by step solution:
Overloading of an electric circuit means that when current flows in a circuit, it becomes more resistant to the current than the ability of components in the circuit. An electrical overload happens through electrical wires when too much current passes. This results in the heat in the wire and melting of the wire, which also increases the risk of fire.
In our house potential difference: $240 \mathrm{~V}$ Current $: 5-20 \mathrm{~A}$
This means the line wires that are entering the meter have a potential difference of $240 \mathrm{~V}$ The minimum and maximum limit of current that can be drawn from the mains is $5-20$ A.
When the current drawn from mains is more than 20 A. Overheating occurs and may cause a fire. This is called overloading.
Precaution are given below for overloading:
1.Avoid using too many appliances simultaneously.
2.Make sure that the appliance you are using must be within the electric circuit's safe limit. Too many appliances in one socket should not be connected.
3.The electric fuse should be connected in series, protecting the circuit from overload and short-circuiting.
4.It is necessary to do proper earthing of all electrical circuits. There is a key difference between overloading and short circuit, which is;
5.The short circuit occurs when the neutral and the live wire come in contact with each other, whereas when the overloading is carried out by the number of devices connected to one socket.
SIGNS OVERLOADING:
1.Flickering, lights blinking
2.Odor burning
3.Wall plates, warm or discolored.

Note:
Continuous overload can be caused by faulty engines, overloaded equipment or by too many loads on one circuit. Such overloads are destructive and must be cut off as soon as possible by protective devices before they are cut off Circuit damage.