- #1
baileya
- 22
- 0
Homework Statement
For this problem we will consider a simple household circuit. In your house the power is supplied at constant voltage of 120-V (not quite...) and each circuit breaker can handle a maximum of 15-Amps. Light bulbs are rated assuming that a 120-V drop occurs across them.
If you are using 100-W bulbs, what is the maximum number you could have in one circuit if they are connected in parallel? What if they were connected in series - could you have more or less bulbs than in parallel (no calculation needed here!)? Which is the "Legal" way to connect them and why? Is the circuit breaker connected in series or in parallel with the "power source"?
Suppose you want to create a circuit with 3 lights and a switch to turn on all three at once. Draw a diagram of the circuit. If you are using three 60-W light bulbs, what is the total current drawn by the circuit?
Suppose you have a 60-W, 100-W and a 13-W bulb in each. What is the current through each bulb? What is the total current in the circuit? What is the power consumed in the circuit? How much energy is consumed in 1 day?
Suppose you were checking a 3-bulb circuit that your friend installed for you and you found that two of the (all 60-W) bulbs were dimmer than the other one. Furthermore when you unscrewed one of the dull bulbs, the other one goes out! What mistake do you think your friend made? Find the voltage and the current for all three bulbs and compare them with the "proper" circuit.
Homework Equations
W= AV
The Attempt at a Solution
I figured out how many can be connected in parallel, but am unsure how to figure out the series circuit. Also, I saw on a website that you can legally have 12 lights connected (in parallel I believe) but want to be sure about this. I also know how to draw the circuit with 3 lights and a switch and can figure out currents. From there on I'm unsure.
Last edited: