Where should a fuse or circuit breaker be installed in a 120V AC power circuit?

Where should a fuse or circuit breaker be installed in a 120V AC power circuit?

• A. In series with the neutral conductor only
• B. On the output of the device
• C. In series with the hot conductor only
• D. In the ground conductor path

Answer: (C)

In a 120V AC power circuit, a fuse or circuit breaker should be installed in series with the hot conductor. This is essential for safety reasons. The hot conductor carries the voltage that powers the device, and if a fault occurs, such as a short circuit, the fuse or circuit breaker interrupts the current flow in the hot line. By doing so, the device and any wiring downstream are protected from excessive current that could lead to overheating, electrical fires, or equipment damage. The neutral conductor, on the other hand, is a return path for current; placing a fuse in the neutral would not adequately protect the circuit since the circuit could still be live with voltage even if the neutral were interrupted. Installing a fuse or circuit breaker on the ground path would also not provide the necessary protection for the circuit, as the ground is meant for safety and fault conditions rather than carrying current under normal operation. Properly placing the protective device in the hot conductor is a fundamental practice in electrical safety standards.

In a 120V AC power circuit, a fuse or circuit breaker should be installed in series with the hot conductor. This is essential for safety reasons. The hot conductor carries the voltage that powers the device, and if a fault occurs, such as a short circuit, the fuse or circuit breaker interrupts the current flow in the hot line.

By doing so, the device and any wiring downstream are protected from excessive current that could lead to overheating, electrical fires, or equipment damage. The neutral conductor, on the other hand, is a return path for current; placing a fuse in the neutral would not adequately protect the circuit since the circuit could still be live with voltage even if the neutral were interrupted.

Installing a fuse or circuit breaker on the ground path would also not provide the necessary protection for the circuit, as the ground is meant for safety and fault conditions rather than carrying current under normal operation. Properly placing the protective device in the hot conductor is a fundamental practice in electrical safety standards.