Quote"As I have repeated numerous times, a conductor can be protected from overcurrent any where along its length (beginning or end), protection against short circuits and ground faults at the source. Physical separation also works in the short circuit and ground fault condition." End Quote
I have never posted a disagreement with a post on this forum but in this case I feel I must as someone following the above
advice (repeated numerous times) could lead to a very hazardous situation.
A conductor's protection, fuse, or breaker should be located as near as possible to the
power source, not anywhere along its length. Any part of the conductor located between the protection and the power source is unprotected in the event of a short circuit caused by chafing, etc. I saw this yesterday in a
boat that I was working on. The ratty 10 gauge wire that powered the power panel on this open fisherman was ~20' long and located in a wire bundle in the
bilge. This feeder conductor was connected directly to the
battery switch and the only protection was on the power panel. In the event the old
insulation failed, and there was a short circuit to ground the conductor would melt down, possible causing a fire and the loss of the boat and possibly lives.
Sorry to contradict you Frankly.
Bill in JB