Question

An electrician is installing circuit breakers on a residential installation. There are two small appliance circuits in the kitchen. She is splitting the two circuits between the two hot buses. Why is she doing this?

a) To simplify the wiring in the kitchen.
b) To distribute the load evenly on both hot buses.
c) To save on circuit breaker costs.
d) To make the installation more aesthetically pleasing.

Answer 1

The electrician splits circuits between the two hot buses to b) distribute the load evenly, which ensures the safety and efficiency of the residential electrical system.

Step-by-step explanation:

The electrician is installing circuit breakers in the residential installation and splitting the two small appliance circuits in the kitchen between the two hot buses to distribute the load evenly on both hot buses. This prevents any one bus from being overloaded, which can cause excessive current and pose a risk of thermal hazards like fires. Circuit breakers are safety devices designed to interrupt current flow in the event of an overload, protecting both the electrical system and the appliances connected. Ensuring the load is balanced between the hot buses helps maintain the system's efficiency and safety.