An 1800-W toaster, a 1400-W speaker, and a 75-W lamp are...

An 1800-W toaster, a 1400-W speaker, and a 75-W lamp are plugged into the same outlet in a 15 -A fuse and 120-V circuit. (The three devices are in parallel when plugged into the same socket.) (a) What current is drawn by each device? (b) Will this combination blow the $15-\mathrm{A}$ fuse?

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Key Concepts

Parallel Circuits

In a parallel circuit, each device or load is connected directly across the power supply, so they all experience the same voltage. This setup allows for the individual current through each branch to be calculated using the device’s power rating and the common voltage. Additionally, the total current drawn from the supply is the sum of the individual branch currents, which is a key factor in analyzing circuit capacity and safety.

Circuit Protection and Fuse Ratings

Fuse ratings are critical to circuit protection as they determine the maximum safe current that a circuit can carry. A fuse is designed to break the circuit when the current exceeds a predefined threshold, thereby preventing potential damage, fire hazards, or further system failure. Understanding how to compare the total current draw of devices with the fuse’s rating is crucial for ensuring that a circuit operates within its safe limits.

Power-Voltage-Current Relationship

This concept involves the fundamental formula P = IV, which relates power (in watts), voltage (in volts), and current (in amperes). It is used to determine the current draw of an electrical device when its power rating and the supply voltage are known. This relationship is essential in circuit analysis to understand how electrical energy is consumed by different components.

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