What is meant by overloading of an electrical circuit? Explain two possible causes due to which overloading may occur in the household circuit. Explain one precaution that should be taken to avoid the overloading of a domestic electric circuit.
When we connect high powered devices to a circuit like iron, freeze, fan etc. then it draws large amount of current on same voltage line and heats the wire which is greater than the capacity of that circuit. This is called overloading of the electrical circuit.
Causes due to which overloading may occur in household circuits
(i) Overloading can occur when live wire and the neutral wire come into direct contact.
(ii) Overloading is also caused by connecting too many appliances to a single socket.
Overloading can be prevented by using fuses to the circuit. When current exceeds in circuit then fuses melts and the flow of current stops in the circuit.