Question

When a line-duty overload protecting a heater detects an overload, what does it do?

1) Shuts off the power to the heater
2) Reduces the power to the heater
3) Increases the power to the heater
4) Does nothing

Answer 1

When an overload protecting a heater detects an overload, it shuts off the power to the heater, as performed by circuit breakers and fuses to prevent thermal hazards.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a line-duty overload protecting a heater detects an overload, the correct action it takes is to shut off the power to the heater. This is the critical function of circuit breakers and fuses, which are designed to interrupt excessive currents and therefore prevent thermal hazards that could cause fires or damage to the electrical system and the appliance. The purpose of this protection is to ensure safety by preventing overheating, which could lead to fire or damage.

In the context of electrical safety devices, ground fault interrupters (GFIs) are another crucial component, which prevent electrical shock by detecting a loss of current to unintentional paths. Furthermore, the use of isolation transformers and the importance of the three-wire system can also be noted for their roles in safeguarding against shock hazards. These systems often utilize principles of induction for their operation.