K so I just got my new house, and my dad keeps telling me "not to overload the electrical circuit. and i dont wanna ask him because he will say oh my gosh i always thought u were a woman and this proves it, like he always says. so what is "overloading a circuit?" i have no idea what it is so i havent done anything in my house with electricity but flip on the lights because im afraid ill "overload the circuit... " thanks guys

If you look in your basement or maybe the garage, you should find a large panel. This is the main distribution of electricity (ac mains) throughout your house. This panel will consists of switches called "breakers".

Each of these breakers represent one circuit or a branch.

This circuit has a maximum rating of how much can be loaded. Usually 15 amps for a standard circuit. Each circuit will be wired to a group of lights, electrical outlets, switches, etc.

Every device that requires ac mains to operate, is considered a "load". Each of these loads take a certain amount of "amps". For example, lights, TV, radio, computer.

If you connected all these devices to same circuit and turn them all on, then the "amps" they consume adds up. If you connect too many, then you may "overload" it because you exceed 15 amps, thereby causing the breaker to "break", cutting electricity to this circuit.

Another explanation here.

Ohhh thank you so much man that explains a lot, good answer. Thanks

3 more points. You should limit a circuit to 80% of its rated load, only 12 amps on 15 amp circuit. Some things are rated in watts. For a 100 watt light bulb, divide 100 watts by 120 volts to get 0.833 amps.

This is an electrical question and should have been posted to Electrical and Lighting, where our best electrician would see it.

Oh OK sounds good thanks. Yeah I posted it under Electrical and Lighting as well and I figured that I would post under this section as well so more people would see it, and under the Electrical and Lighting section the question hasn't been answerd yet so I'm glad I posted under both. Thanks man, you both are life savers

What they mean is don't plug devices that draw a lot of power from one outlet, a toaster and a hair dryer is going to trip breakers or fuses, cause wiring to get hot and possible a fire. That's what your dad was eluding to.. Breakers and fuses are there to protect from excess current draw from one source.

just to add.
In the Keys, #14 is not allowed for last 20 years. 80% of 20 amps, is 16 amps.
He may want you to conserve Electricity. Could bee to small a Panel. Good Luck.
Jus for giggles, If you wanted to know how many 60 watts to consume 16 amps(20)
amp circuit. Volts X Amps equals Watts. Or
120(volts)X16(amps)=1920 Watts.
Then, Divide 60(watt bulb) divided into 1920(watts)=32 Bulbs.
Good luck