JBD I am interested as I do not really understand what your saying.
The breaker does not know where the premise wiring ends and utilization equipment starts.
All the breaker 'knows' is the current passing through it.
It seems to me that saying the design of the breaker is to protect the branch circuit short circuits AND overloads is to limited.
A breaker is designed to open under predetermined conditions of short circuits and overloads. It does not mater if that overload is in a feeder, branch circuit, or utilization equipment.
I could also point to 240.5 that rightly or not extends the job of the OCPD beyond the receptacles and outlets.
Not trying to be a pain I just see a lot in the NEC that requires a branch circuit breaker to protect the equipment beyond outlet as well as the branch circuit itself.
[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 11-03-2006).]
