Electric energy, power and Household circuits

Heating Effect of Electric Current

Take a coil of nichrome wire. Connect it
with wires to a combination of at least
four cells. Immerse the coil in a beaker
partially filled with water, as shown in
the given figure. Before closing the
switch, touch the water. Put the switch
ON and wait for five minutes. Switch off
the current and touch the water again.
Is the water hot? If yes, how did
this happen? A wire (say nichrome
wire) becomes hot when an electric
current is allowed to flow through it for a
relatively long time. This phenomenon is
known as the heating effect of
electric current.

Some common household devices such

as electric heater, electric iron, and
water heater use the phenomenon of the
heating effect of current.

Electric heater

An electric heater consists of a long coil of wire

arranged on an insulating sheet, as shown in the given
figure. When electric current is allowed to flow through
this coil, it turns red hot because of the heating effect
of current. As a result, it provides a specific amount of
heat, which can be used for different purposes.

Electric Iron

An electric iron consists of a thin metal

plate that is heated when electric current
flows through it. This, in turn, heats the
thick iron base of the device.

Water heater

An electric water heater consists of a coil

 of wire that is heated when electric
current flows through it. This, in turn,
heats the water in which the heater is
completely immersed.

Do You Know?

Edison and his bulb

Thomas Alva Edison (18471931) was one of

the greatest inventors in the history of
science. He had one thousand inventions to
his name besides the electric bulb. The bulb
invented by him was comparatively long-
lasting because he used a filament made of a
metal having a high melting point. Now-a-
days, tungsten filament is used in the electric
bulb because it does not melt easily.

Electric bulb

A bulb consists of a filament that radiates heat

and light when current flows through it. The
filament of a bulb is made of tungsten coil. The
flow of current causes the filament of the bulb to
heat up to an extremely high temperature such
that it starts emitting light.

All heating devices draw a large quantity of electricity to heat the respective
appliances. However, bulbs are designed to emit light only. Hence, there is wastage of
electricity in the form of heat. This wastage of electricity is reduced by replacing these
electric bulbs by compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). A CFL is shown in the given figure.

Electric fuse

Electric fuses are devices used for the protection of expensive electric devices such as bulbs, TVs,
fans, etc. A fuse element has very low melting point. Hence, it melts quickly whenever there is a
slight increase in the amount of current. As a result, the path of the current is broken. This
protects the device from being damaged by the abrupt flow of current. The given figure shows a
simple electric fuse that is commonly used in households.

Construction of fuse circuit

Construct a simple electric circuit that consists of a bulb, a switch, and an electric cell, as shown in
figure (a). Now, switch off the circuit. Take a fuse element, which is easily available in a repair
shop, and connect it to the wire, as shown in figure (b). In this way, you can construct a fuse
circuit that will protect the original circuit from high voltage or current.

Take a piece of fuse wire and connect it to a cell with a switch, as shown in the given circuit
diagram.

Touch the fuse wire before closing the circuit. Now, allow the current to flow through the circuit by
closing the switch for a few seconds. Touch the wire again. Is it hot? Now, disconnect the cell
from the circuit and connect a battery, which is a combination of four similar cells. Switch on the
circuit for a few seconds again. Touch the fuse element. It will be hotter than it was in the
previous case. Continue increasing the number of cells and follow the same steps till the fuse wire
melts. This will show the working of an electric fuse.

An electric fuse can withstand a current up to a certain maximum limit, which depends on the
material from which it has been made. When the current crosses this limit, the fuse breaks,
thereby stopping any further flow of current through the circuit. Hence, it prevents overheating,
which may sometimes result in fire.

The electric fuse shown in the given figure is used in most electrical appliances.

When the power in your house is cut-off due to high current, you should not investigate
the fuse on your own. Call the electrician and wait.

Modern day circuit breakers prevent the flow of current by automatically turning off when the
current in the circuit crosses its maximum limit. These are called miniature circuit breakers
(MCBs).

Read about other circuit breakers such as magnetic circuit breakers and thermal circuit
breakers on the internet.

Factors on which heat produced in an electric circuit depends

1. Resistance of conductor
2. Current flowing through the conductor
3. Time of flow of current

Heat energy in an electric circuit is desirable as well as undesirable.

1. Desirable in heating applications

2. Undesirable in lightning applications

The heat energy lost in a DC circuit is given by the formula

H = I2 R t

Electric Power

We use electricity to run various electrical appliances such as bulbs, tube lights, refrigerators,
electric heaters etc. in our homes. Do you think all these home appliances consume an
equal amount of electricity at a given time?

No, the amount of electricity consumed by an electrical appliance depends on the power rated on
that appliance. For example, for 220 V potential supply, a tube light of rated power 40 W draws
0.18 A of current, whereas a bulb of rated power 100 W draws 0.45 A of current.

How can you determine the rate of consumption of energy by a given appliance?

Electric power

Electric power is defined as the rate of consumption of energy or simply the rate of doing work.

i.e., power (P) = . (i)

The work done by current (I) when it flows in a potential (V) for time (t) can be given by

W = VIt . (ii)

Power, (P) = = VI

Electric power or P = VI

The SI unit of power is watts (W).

Also, the energy dissipated or consumed by an electric appliance per unit time is given by

Another unit of power is horse power (HP) = 746 W or 750 W (approx)

It is also an equation for electric power.

i.e., P = I2R

Now, according to Ohms law

V = IR
I=

If we substitute the value of I in the equation of power, we get

P= R=

Hence, we get the expression for electric power as

Where, 1 W = 1 V 1 A = 1 V A

1 watt is defined as the power consumed by an electrical circuit that carries a current of
1 ampere, when it is operated at a potential difference of 1 volt.

Since Watt is a very small unit, we define a larger unit of power as kilowatt (kW). Thus,

1 kW = 1000 W

For practical purposes, we define kilowatt hour (kWh) as unit where,

1 unit = 1 kWh = 1000 W 1 hour

= 1000 W 3600 s

= 36 105 Ws

= 3.6 106 J

1 kWh is also the commercial unit of electric energy.

Note that electricity is a flow of electrons and nothing else. Hence, power stations only make the
electrons flow through conducting wires for which they charge us. They do not create or generate
the electrons.

Prepare a list of electrical appliances commonly used in homes. Note down the respective watts
rated on them. Now, try to calculate the amount of current drawn by respective appliances for a
constant voltage of 220 V. Complete the table and discuss the result with your friends.
 Electrical appliance Rated power Current drawn

Audio player 100 W 045 A

Fan 60 W ..

TV 120 W ..

Refrigerator 160 W ..

Electric heater 1000 W ..

Example:

(i) The amount of current drawn by an immersion water heater is 6.8 A. If the heater is operated
on 220 V of potential difference, calculate its power.

Solution:

Given that,

Potential difference, V = 220 V

Current drawn, I = 6.8 A

By definition of electric power, we know that

P = VI

Hence, P = 200 V 68 A

= 1360 W

Hence, power of the given immersion heater is 1360 W.

(ii) What is the monthly cost of energy to operate the given immersion water heater 3 hours/day
at Rs 5.00 per unit?

Solution:

Power of the heater is 1360 W.

Energy consumed by it per day = 1360 W

Hence, energy consumed by it in 30 days = 1360 W 30 days

= 122400 W

= 122.4 kWh

= 122.4 units

Now, the cost of energy for one unit is Rs 5.00

Cost of energy for 122.4 units will be 5 122.4 = 612

Hence, the monthly cost of energy of the heater is Rs 612.

What is the amount of energy consumed by the given water heater in one month?

Electric Fuse and Earthing

Electric fuses are devices used for the protection of expensive electric devices such as bulbs, TVs,
fans, etc. A fuse element has very low melting point. Hence, it melts quickly whenever there is a
slight increase in the amount of current. As a result, the path of the current is broken. This
protects the device from being damaged by the abrupt flow of current. The given figure shows a
simple electric fuse that is commonly used in households.

Construction of fuse circuit

Construct a simple electric circuit that consists of a bulb, a switch, and an electric cell, as shown in
figure (a). Now, switch off the circuit. Take a fuse element, which is easily available in a repair
shop, and connect it to the wire, as shown in figure (b). In this way, you can construct a fuse
circuit that will protect the original circuit from high voltage or current.
Take a piece of fuse wire and connect it to a cell with a switch, as shown in the given circuit
diagram.

Touch the fuse wire before closing the circuit. Now, allow the current to flow through the circuit by
closing the switch for a few seconds. Touch the wire again. Is it hot? Now, disconnect the cell
from the circuit and connect a battery, which is a combination of four similar cells. Switch on the
circuit for a few seconds again. Touch the fuse element. It will be hotter than it was in the
previous case. Continue increasing the number of cells and follow the same steps till the fuse wire
melts. This will show the working of an electric fuse.

An electric fuse can withstand a current up to a certain maximum limit, which depends on the
material from which it has been made. When the current crosses this limit, the fuse breaks,
thereby stopping any further flow of current through the circuit. Hence, it prevents overheating,
which may sometimes result in fire.

The electric fuse shown in the given figure is used in most electrical appliances.

Construction of a fuse

A fuse consists of the following parts

 1. Porcelain casing

It is a hollow rectangular block of porcelain with two brass terminals. It is fixed on a wooden board
with live wire in and out of the two terminals. The two terminals are connected through the fuse
only.

2. Porcelain grip

It is a rectangular block of porcelain on which two clamps are fixed on the right side to fix them to
the two terminals.

When will a fuse wire melt?

A fuse wire will melt only under the following circumstances

1. Overload
2. Short circuit
3. Voltage fluctuations
Thus a fuse wire will melt when a current more than the maximum permissible value will flow
through the circuit.

Earthing

It means that metal body of the appliance is connected to thick copper wire, which is buried deep
in the earth and its other end is connected to a copper plate surrounded by a mixture of charcoal
and common salt.

Household Distribution of Current

As shown in figure, a fuse is placed before the electric meter. This fuse is rated at a value of load
sanctioned by the company. If the user overdraws current than the sanctioned value the fuse
breaks down and the flow of current stops. The electric cable consists of the wires namely live,
neutral and ground wires. The neutral and ground wires are at ground potential. The live and the
neutral wires are connected to the electric meter inside the house whereas the earth wire is
connected to the body of the kWh meter. One more fuse called main fuse is connected to the
output of the meter.

Main switch consists of double pole iron clad switch. This main switch is required to cut off main
supply and from the household circuits. The iron body of main switch is locally earthed to remove
any chances of a short circuit current there. This local earthing thus prevents the user of the main
switch from any kind of a short circuit current to flow through the body.

There are two systems of household power flow

1. Tree system of distribution of power

This system behaves like a tree i.e. like in a tree branches come out from each node likewise there
are nodes and branches in this system too.
Power lines are taken on a main distribution board. From this main board circuits are taken out for
each room by inserting a fuse for each circuit. The current rating of each fuse depends upon the
maximum current the circuit can bear. The current rating of the main fuse is slightly more than the
sum of the current rating of individual fuses.

The neutral and the earth wire is common to all circuits.

Disadvantages of tree system

1. A longer length of wire is required for wiring various rooms.

2. A single fuse when melts disconnects all the circuits of that room.
3. Requires plugs and sockets of different current value for different appliances, depending
upon their power rating.
4. It is very expensive style of household distribution.

2. Ring system of distribution of power

It consists of a ring of all the three wires. They originate from the main fuse box and after running
around all rooms in the house come back to the man fuse box. The appliances with high possibility
of getting short circuited are provided with individual fuses.

Advantages of ring system

1. Only one appliance gets disconnected in case of a short circuit.

2. Length of wring used is considerably small.
3. Thickness of copper wires can be increased or decreased.
4. It is far easier to install and maintain.

Switches, Sockets and Plugs

Switches

An electric switch is a device used to connect or disconnect appliances in an electric circuit.

Examples: lever type switches, push button type switches.

Why switches are connected in live wires?

Live wire is the potential wire thus if we touch live wire we will get a shock. This is the reason
why we need protection from live wire only.
 Why electric switches should never be touched with wet hands?

Water when contaminated becomes a conductor. Wet hands contain water with contaminated
minerals. Thus when we touch a switch with wet hands the water may go inside and can act as
a short circuited bridge between our hand and the wires.

Sockets

Sockets are the fixtures in an electric circuit from which power can be tapped for movable
electric appliance such as heater, radio etc.

It consists of three brass cylinders embedded in porcelain. The cylinder for earthing is larger
than the other two cylinders.

Plugs

A general plug is shown in the figure. The live pin is on the right, neutral on the left and
ground on the top.

Colour Coding of Wires and Dual Switch Circuit

Colour Coding

Colour coding is useful in order to distinguish the three wires. The old and new conventions are
tabulated below.

Type of wire Old covention New convetion

Live Red Brown

Neutral Black Light blue

Ground Green Green or yellow

Dual Switch Circuit

They are double pole type switches. These help to on or off an appliance from any of the two
switches. These are required in staircases and long corridors.

In the figure shown, P and Q are the two switches with a bulb in series. Thus it could be seen that
the bulb glows only when both the switches are conducting.