circuit breaker

/'sə:kit'breikə/
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circuit breaker

The electrician installs a new circuit breaker in the panel.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A safety device in an electrical system: A "circuit breaker" is an automatic switch designed to stop the flow of electricity in a circuit if the current becomes too strong, thereby preventing damage from overload or short circuits.
Usage
  • A "circuit breaker" is a specific component found in electrical panels (e.g., in homes, buildings, or industrial equipment). It functions as a reusable safety switch.
  • It is used to describe the device itself or its action of interrupting the circuit.
  • Example:
  • Example:
Examples
  • Noun:
    • Every modern home has a circuit breaker box for safety.
    • The power outage was just a circuit breaker shutting off due to a fault.
    • You need to reset the circuit breaker to restore electricity to that room.
Advanced Usage
  • "To trip a circuit breaker": This is the common phrase used when the device activates and cuts off power.
    • Using the hairdryer and microwave at the same time might trip the circuit breaker.
  • "Circuit breaker" as a metaphorical term: In finance or economics, it can refer to a temporary trading halt on an exchange to prevent panic selling.
    • Stock exchanges have circuit breakers that pause trading during extreme volatility.
Variants and Related Words
  • Breaker (n): A common short form for "circuit breaker" in informal contexts (e.g., "Check the breaker box").
  • Fuse (n): An older, non-reusable safety device that melts to break a circuit. While similar in function, a fuse is a different component.
  • Residual-current device (RCD) / Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) (n): More specialized types of safety switches that protect against electric shock, often found in bathrooms or kitchens.
Synonyms
  • Safety switch: A general term for a device that breaks an electrical circuit for protection.
  • Overload protector: A descriptive term highlighting its function.
Related Phrases
  • Flip the breaker / Switch the breaker back on: The action of manually resetting a tripped circuit breaker to the "on" position.
    • After unplugging the faulty appliance, he flipped the breaker back on.
  • Blow a fuse: An idiom (using the older fuse technology) meaning to become very angry, or literally, to cause a fuse to melt.
    • When he saw the mess, he blew a fuse. (idiomatic use)
    • That old lamp blew a fuse. (literal use)
circuit breaker

The electrician installs a new circuit breaker in the panel.

Noun
  1. a device that trips like a switch and opens the circuit when overloaded

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