![]() Unlike a fuse, they don’t need to be replaced.īoth circuit breakers and fuses are rated according to how much electricity can flow through them before they trip and shut down the circuit. They are more convenient, as they just need to be flipped back on if they are tripped. Since the 1960s circuit breakers have been used instead of fuses. When this happens, the fuse needs to be taken out and replaced. Circuit breakers will be found in most houses built after the 1960s or in older buildings that have had their electrical systems upgraded.įuses have a thin strip of metal that literally blows when there’s too much electricity flowing through it. They both serve the purpose of cutting the flow of electricity when a circuit gets overloaded-a potentially dangerous situation. What’s the difference between a fuse and a circuit breaker?įuses and circuit breakers are both found in the electrical panel (or sub-panel) of a house. If a buyer is interested in upgrading, an electrician can give an estimate for what the work will entail. 110 VOLT OUTLET UPGRADEHow much it costs to upgrade will depend on the particular house and the location. It’s possible to upgrade a house from 110- to 220-volt service. Older houses were usually built with 110 volt service if the electrical system hasn’t been upgraded, it won’t be possible to use some models of appliances (though alternatives can be found). If there are two 110 volt wires running to the house, then the house has 220 volt service and appliances, such as dryers and air conditioners. These wires can run underground or above ground. Most houses today have two 110 volt wires and one neutral wire running into the house from the local distribution system. If the home was recently built, the answer is almost always yes. So what else do you need to know about electric systems? While it’s best to leave the big questions to electricians, these are some basics that you should know. An alternative is generating electricity on site by solar electrical systems, wind turbines, or generators. One problem in this method of delivery is that quite a bit of electricity is lost in the process of traveling from the plant to its final destination. From there, electricity travels over local distribution systems to individual homes. Understanding the basics of these systems will help you evaluate homes and knowledgeably answer questions from prospective buyers.Įlectricity typically is generated at a power plant and travels to transformers, which lower the voltage to a level that local distribution systems can handle. These days, every house or apartment is going to have an electrical system of one sort or another. ![]()
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