All Topics  
Overcurrent

 

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Overcurrent
 
 
  Topics Overcurrent Topic Home

In electricity supply, overcurrent or excess current is a situation where a larger than intended electric current
Electric current

Electric current is the flow of electric charge. The electric charge may be either electrons or ions.The International System of Units unit of electric current intensity is the ampere....
 exists through a conductor, leading to excessive generation of heat and the risk of damaging infrastructure and equipment and causing fires. Possible causes for overcurrent include short circuit
Short circuit

A short circuit in an electrical circuit that allows a Electric current along a different path from the one intended.The electrical opposite of a short circuit is an "open circuit", which is an infinite resistance between two nodes....
s, excessive load, and incorrect design. Fuses
Fuse (electrical)

In electronics and electrical engineering a fuse is a type of overcurrent protection device. Its essential component is a metal wire or strip that melts when too much current flows, which breaks the electrical network in which it is connected, thus protecting the circuit's other components from damage due to excessive current....
, circuit breaker
Circuit breaker

A circuit breaker is an automatically-operated Electricity switch designed to protect an Electrical network from damage caused by Overcurrent or short circuit....
s, temperature sensors and current limiters are commonly used protection mechanisms to control the risks of overcurrent.








Discussion
Ask a question about 'Overcurrent'
Start a new discussion about 'Overcurrent'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


In electricity supply, overcurrent or excess current is a situation where a larger than intended electric current
Electric current

Electric current is the flow of electric charge. The electric charge may be either electrons or ions.The International System of Units unit of electric current intensity is the ampere....
 exists through a conductor, leading to excessive generation of heat and the risk of damaging infrastructure and equipment and causing fires. Possible causes for overcurrent include short circuit
Short circuit

A short circuit in an electrical circuit that allows a Electric current along a different path from the one intended.The electrical opposite of a short circuit is an "open circuit", which is an infinite resistance between two nodes....
s, excessive load, and incorrect design. Fuses
Fuse (electrical)

In electronics and electrical engineering a fuse is a type of overcurrent protection device. Its essential component is a metal wire or strip that melts when too much current flows, which breaks the electrical network in which it is connected, thus protecting the circuit's other components from damage due to excessive current....
, circuit breaker
Circuit breaker

A circuit breaker is an automatically-operated Electricity switch designed to protect an Electrical network from damage caused by Overcurrent or short circuit....
s, temperature sensors and current limiters are commonly used protection mechanisms to control the risks of overcurrent.

Related standards

  • IEC 60364
    IEC 60364

    IEC 60364 Electrical Installations for Buildings is the International Electrotechnical Commission's international standard on electrical installations of buildings....
    -4-43: Electrical installations of buildings – Part 4-43: Protection for safety – Protection against overcurrent
Simply if the power is excess than the range of the componenet then the Circuit trip

See also

  • Current limiting
    Current limiting

    Current limiting is the practice in electrical or electronics circuits of imposing an upper limit on the electric current that may be delivered to a External electric load with the purpose of protecting the circuit generating or transmitting the current from harmful effects due to a short-circuit or similar problem in the Electrical load....
  • Electrical safety