On 1/26/2014 2:18 AM, bud-- wrote:
... The breaker can be significantly larger
than the rating of the wires, and provides short circuit protection.
....

I don't think so! The breaker is there to protect the wires. If there
is a load on the circuit greater than what the wires can handle, the
breaker opens. You do not want the wires overheating and it doesn't
take a short to do it.

Bob