Over sizing the breaker question?

[kenwhite]

I wanted to ask about "Over sizing the breaker". How is over sizing the breaker bad exactly? I ran a 50amp breaker and 6 gauge cable (rated at 50amp). My 225LX can draw max of 39 amps. Does that mean my 50amp breaker is too large? I figured the breaker should match the cable coming out of it. Then whatever is plugged into it has to fend for itself. Meaning my 225LX should go into protection long before my 50amp breaker trips right? How is that bad?

Now, if I had a 50 amp breaker on say 12 gauge wire, that would be bad. Then the wire would get too hot and burn before the breaker ever tripped.

As long as the cable insulation type, run length, and size allow for a larger amperage breaker size to be used, then there is really no issue other than the increased equipment and installation costs.