Quote:
See, for example the Exceptions in 215.2(a)(1) and 215.3
Reply:
This section applies to Feeders, not branch circuits as you had specified in your earlier question.
Quote:
What I want to figure out is what to expect when a high continuous load is placed on a circuit breaker. Say, for example that a receptacle branch circuit is loaded to 100% capacity with halogen lamps, which are simply left on. Because the branch circuit has no permanently connected loads, no attempt is made to limit the load to 80%.
Reply:
Try to turn on 24, 100 watts Halogens lamps, and see for yourself what happens. It Will trip the 20 amp Breaker.( or 18, 100 w on a 15 amp breaker) Continous load or not.
Look when you say a Continous Load, you are implying foreknowledge of a particular load that needs to be served. Residential Branch Circuit receptacle loads are different and have different requirements depending on what room you are in. 210.19 & 240.3
See 230.13 for Non-Dwelling receptacle loads.
But Circuit Breakers are NEVER WEAK. They are designed to trip out depending on the amount of HEAT they encounter. They will trip out in your Oven.
Then you refocused the Question to read as Follows: So the question is: in what way does an 80% rated circuit breaker overheat when loaded at 100%?
And Again as we have all stated here in one or another is this, A BREAKER TRIPS ON HEAT! Not Amperage. Amperage makes Heat, and so does resistance but Regardless of how the Heat reaches the Breaker, either thru the Conductors, the BusBars, or thru a Fire in Loadcenter. Breakers trip on Heat
[This message has been edited by SirJaxx (edited 10-19-2003).]
