What provides overload protection in each ungrounded service conductor according to NEC?

Overcurrent devices are specifically designed to provide overload protection for each ungrounded service conductor as outlined in the National Electrical Code (NEC). These devices, which include circuit breakers and fuses, are crucial for protecting electrical circuits from excessive current that can lead to overheating and potentially cause fires.

They operate by detecting increases in current flow due to faults or overloads. When the current exceeds a predetermined safe limit, the overcurrent device interrupts the circuit, thereby preventing further flow of electricity and protecting the conductors and connected equipment from damage.

While ground fault devices and current-limiting fuses play significant roles in system protection, their functions differ from that of overcurrent protection. Ground fault devices specifically protect against ground faults, while current-limiting fuses are intended to limit the amount of current during a fault condition but do not inherently monitor for overloads. Service disconnects are used to isolate the electrical service but do not offer overload protection in the same manner as overcurrent devices do.