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Why might the current in a short circuit be higher than the current in the original circuit?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
The current in a short circuit may be very high because the resistance in the short circuit is probably less than the resistance in the original circuit.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
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What is your observation of the current in series circuit?
The current in a series circuit will be directly proportional to the voltage applied to the circuit, and inversely proportional to the resistance in it. Additionally, there will be one and only one path for that current, as it is a series circuit. All the current in the circuit will have to pass through each each element of the circuit. The current will all flow in one direction in a DC circuit; current is unidirectional. And will flow "back and forth" in an AC circuit, or will alternate directions, as one might expect.
Is a zener diode a current limiter?
No. A zener diode is a voltage limiter. Circuit design might create a current limiting response, but the basic control is voltage, not current.
Is the resistance lower if you have a high current?
Lower than what? For the same voltage, a lower resistance means higher current. But beware, the voltage itself might depend on the current - thus - with a fixed resistance if you change the voltage, you will increase the current in the same proportion. Some things become higher resistance if they get hot (a tungsten filament in a lamp). Other things become lower resistance if they get hot (semiconductors). So it can all depend on what kind of circuit you have.
What is a surge resistor?
A surge resistor is a resistor installed in a circuit to prevent a "surge" when conditions arise where a surge might occur. That might be a bit wordy, but that's the answer. Let's look at an instance where a surge resistor is used and see how it works. There are a number instances where energizing a circuit is followed by a surge of current. Like almost all the time. When that circuit "comes on" after the switch is flipped, current is flowing. And sometimes we need to place a resistor in series with the component or components that want to draw a ton of current on startup. We can look at a component that might just do that. Capacitors (caps) are sometimes fitted with something that limits a big shot of current when a circuit is energized. Caps, you recall, begin operation in the circuit of a modern equipment uncharged, and when these caps are first "seen" by the voltage source at the moment it's turned on, they look like a short circuit. Lots of current may want to flow. Jumping ahead, the cap sits in the operating circuit fat, dumb and happy "using" only a little current after things are going. But at startup, it needs to be checked to prevent it from "sucking up" (or sinking) too much current and overloading the supply. The surge resistor is on the job each time the circuit is energized. There are other applications for a surge resistor, but the purpose is the same - prevent "too much current" from flowing at a given moment so the circuit can transition into a "normal operating mode" (where current flow is more modest). The surge resistor is similar to a so-called current limiting (or, perhaps, ballast) resistor, but the name applied to the resistor in question might have more to do with the specific application.
What would you do to measure the current in a resistor?
Since the current in a resistor is the same as the current in the leads/wires on either side of the resister, I might use a clamp meter such as an Amprobe to measure current, if the current was alternating (AC). Otherwise, I would have to break one of the leads and insert an ammeter or a multimeter with an amp setting into the circuit. Afterwards the broken connection would have to be repaired.
What is your observation of the current in series circuit?
The current in a series circuit will be directly proportional to the voltage applied to the circuit, and inversely proportional to the resistance in it. Additionally, there will be one and only one path for that current, as it is a series circuit. All the current in the circuit will have to pass through each each element of the circuit. The current will all flow in one direction in a DC circuit; current is unidirectional. And will flow "back and forth" in an AC circuit, or will alternate directions, as one might expect.
What happens when a solar cell cannot supply enough current to a circuit?
the circuit might not operate properly. but shouldn't effect the circuits them self.
An example series circuit might be what?
A voltage or current source in series with a circuit breaker or fuse in series with a switch in series with a light bulb.
What is a difference between 10KA and 22KA circuit breakers?
The previous answer is incorrect, and I would advise that user to not give out information if they are going to give completely misguided information. The interrupting rating of a breaker is the maximum current that the breaker is designed to handle, at the breaker's rated voltage, before damage will occur to the breaker. A breaker will trip at FAR LESS than the interrupting rating, but it is extremely dangerous to expose the breaker to any situation where it will have more than the rated interruption current. the breaker is designed for. The reason some breakers are rated at 22kA instead of 10kA is because they typically have far larger conductors hooked up to them, so with the lowered impedance on the circuit there is more of a chance for the breaker to experience a higher fault current at the breaker. So electricians install 22kA breakers to handle the higher "available fault current."
Is a zener diode a current limiter?
No. A zener diode is a voltage limiter. Circuit design might create a current limiting response, but the basic control is voltage, not current.
Can inserting a resistor in a circuit have an effect similar to an open circuit?
If the resistance is large enough, then there might not be enough voltage difference to allow much current. Since, Voltage = Current * Resistance, if resistance goes really large, and your voltage doesn't change, your current must decrease. An open circuit is where you do not have any current flowing, so whether no current verses very little current is the same is up to you.
Is the resistance lower if you have a high current?
Lower than what? For the same voltage, a lower resistance means higher current. But beware, the voltage itself might depend on the current - thus - with a fixed resistance if you change the voltage, you will increase the current in the same proportion. Some things become higher resistance if they get hot (a tungsten filament in a lamp). Other things become lower resistance if they get hot (semiconductors). So it can all depend on what kind of circuit you have.
When a fuse blows?
When a fuse blows, you should replace the fuse and check to see what might have caused it to blow. It's a sign that there might be something causing too much current to flow in the circuit.
What are two ways to increase the current in a simple cell?
Two ways to increase the current would be to increase the surface area of the electrodes and make changes to the electrolyte to speed up the movement of the ions (this might involve increasing the concentration of the electolyte or warming it up to speed up diffusion).
A device that protects a circuit from current overload is called?
Fuses or circuit breakers are termed 'overcurrent protection devices', which protect circuits from either an overload current or a short-circuit current.
Is it OK to use an unpolarised capacitor in a circuit where there was originally a polarised one?
Well... Maybe yes, maybe no. It depends on two things. First, the physical size of the non-polarized capacitor may well be larger than the original size of the polarized capacitor, so it might not fit. Second, you have to consider the RMS current rating of the capacitor. Often, a polarized capacitor, such as an electrolytic capacitor, is intended to be used in a power supply, and is rated for a certain RMS current. A non-polarized capacitor, however, might not be rated for the same or higher RMS current, so it would not be able to handle the load.
What is the difference between a parallel circuit and a series circuit?
A parallel circuit is one in which there is more than one current path. An example might be several light bulbs in a house, all of which provide a path for electric current. The advantage is that any of the lamps can be turned on or off without affecting the current flow through any other lamp. A series circuit is one in which the current has only a single path through multiple components. An example might be two resistors, one after the other. Both will have the same current through them but they may have varying voltages depending on their resistance. Another example of a series circuit is a houehold lamp and a light switch. When the light switch is open, no current flows through it and therefore, no current can flow through the lamp either. When the switch is closed, current will now flow through the switch and the lamp.
