It really can’t be stressed highly enough how important it is to have robust electrical safety standards on your property. Electricity can be very dangerous when it is not handled or controlled safely, which is why it is imperative that you take the time to learn the basics of how the system in your home works.
Having a great 50 amp double pole breaker in place is an excellent example of the right preventive measures required. If you are not exactly sure of what it does and when you should use one of these breakers, here is an overview of what you should know.
Is it the right breaker for your needs?
If you already have a basic knowledge of how the electrical circuit in your property works you will know that you need to fit a breaker that is sufficient to cope with the load for each specific circuit.
The clue is in the number of amps that your breaker will be able to cope with in order to prevent an overloading circuit and potential hazards as a result of this.
To give you an idea, a 50 amp double pole breaker will be sufficient to cope with the range of typical appliances that you will have in your kitchen.
It is not as basic as that when choosing the right breaker. You need to take into account factors such as how many outlets it will be protecting, the wiring used, and the number of watts you are asking it to handle.
A 50 amp breaker tends to have a good range of amperage draws. This allows multiple circuits to run simultaneously.
Is there a limit to the number of outlets this size of breaker can handle?
The simple answer to that question is yes. Although a 50 amp breaker is one of the largest you can get it still has its limits.
You have to be wary of putting too much strain on your breaker.
A good rule of thumb would be to restrict the power draw to a maximum of around 80% of the breaker’s rating.
When you consider that a typical receptacle has a maximum draw of 1.5 amps, that means you should consider a maximum of 25 outlets for a 50 amp breaker.
Make sure you have the correct wiring
Another key consideration is to make sure that you have the correct wire size appropriate for a 50 amp breaker.
Copper wires, for instance, have a minimum wire gauge of six. If you have aluminum wires the wire gauge requirement is four.
Having the correct wire size helps to avoid an excessive amount of current. A dangerous consequence of having an incorrect wiring gauge is a potential fire developing if the breaker does not trip.
It is always advisable to get professional guidance from a qualified electrician so that you have the best safety profile possible. Fitting the right breaker and loading your circuits correctly is essential. A good 50 amp double pole breaker will help you achieve that aim.
