Yes Artum, my breaker tripped...a number of times.
Your discourse is spot on. As a former Industrial Arts Teacher and wannabe engineer, I follow all that you have said. Tho' I forget the formula on occasion, (usually on occasion that I need it!) ;) I applaud the clarity of your explanation.
What's also interesting to me is the relative 'fragility' of aluminum, that the average consumer only is aware of when they crush a soda can in their hands. When I taught Metal Shop, I had foundry area where aluminum was the metal of choice. I was amazed at how easily aluminum melted. That aluminum can?-believe me they weren't worth the effort as a raw material. I did cast brass a couple of times, almost double the temps and the pour was pretty exciting. I still have one of the projects. Anyway, it now doesn't surprise me how easily that buss bar melted. The wires were fine, just burned insulation.
Hey! I just noticed you have a Triple E?! They are supposed to be great units!