The main purpose of fuse boxes and circuit breakers is to protect your home and electrical appliances from power surges. Without a fuse box or circuit breaker, electrical surges could cause fires and damage your electrical devices and appliances. So if a fuse box and circuit breaker serve the same purpose, what’s the difference between the two? Check out the differences between a fuse box and a circuit breaker below.
What Are Circuit Breakers and Fuse Boxes?
As we mentioned, the purpose of circuit breakers and fuse boxes is to protect your home from electrical surges. To do this, a circuit breaker uses a switch to disrupt the current of the electrical surge. On the other hand, a fuse box uses a piece of wire that will burn if the current exceeds a certain amount, thus disrupting it.
Circuit Breakers Are Reusable
The main difference between fuse boxes and circuit breakers is that circuit breakers are reusable, while fuse boxes are not. Once an electrical surge connects with the wire in the fuse box, the wire burns, and you can no longer use the fuse. However, a circuit breaker simply moves a switch to stop an electrical current, so all you need to do is flip the switch back to its original position.
Fuse Boxes Are Inexpensive
Circuit breakers are more convenient than fuse boxes, but fuse boxes are much more affordable. However, fuse boxes usually won’t last as long as circuit breakers, so the higher price of the circuit breaker is usually well worth it.
Which One Is Better?
Now that you know the differences between a fuse box and a circuit breaker, it’s time to decide which one is the best choice for your home. If you’re looking for something affordable, then a fuse box is your best bet. However, if you want something that will last for a long time and that you can reuse, then a circuit breaker is the best option.
Keep in mind that circuit breakers can malfunction, but an electrician can usually fix any issues that arise. If you require a circuit breaker electrician, reach out to Anson Electric today.
