What is the primary purpose of overcurrent protection in feeders?

The primary purpose of overcurrent protection in feeders is to ensure safety from electrical fires. Overcurrent protection devices, such as circuit breakers and fuses, are designed to detect and interrupt excessive current flow in a circuit. This excessive current can result from a fault condition, such as a short circuit or an overload, which can generate heat and potentially ignite surrounding materials, leading to electrical fires.

By interrupting the flow of current when it exceeds safe levels, overcurrent protection helps to minimize the risk of fire hazards, protecting both people and property. This safety mechanism is a crucial part of electrical circuits, especially in feeders, which carry power from the source to various distribution points in a building or installation. Ensuring that circuits operate within their safe limits maintains the integrity of the system and promotes overall electrical safety.