Continuing our discussion about Short Circuits...
#15. Does it matter where in the circuit the fuse is located?
Yes, especially to protect against shorts-to-ground. Since grounding is essentially the last connection in the circuit [thinking in a classic (+) to (-) flow]. The fuse needs to be as close to the (+) source as possible to protect a maximum amount of the circuit.
#16. Are there any other kinds of shorts other than a short-to-ground?
Again, yes, but very rarely could a hot wire short anywhere else in the circuit...maybe during a test or if power wasn’t disconnected before working on the wiring. If it did happen and was before the load, there shouldn’t be any permanent harm done. The load would just operate (the bulb would light, for instance). Only if the hot short contacted a ground wire or connection would a problem exist, witnessed, no doubt, by a major spark and a loud crack. Always an exciting event.
In our next entry, we'll talk about overloading circuits.
Steve Watson, Watson's StreetWorks, http://www.watsons-streetworks.com
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