0
Why have I always been told not to load up an electrical circuit or equipment more than 80 percent and where is this stated?
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
The 80% ideal is from the NEC. Let's say you have a standard 15A circuit. This circuit is rated to carry a maximum of 15A, no more. If you try to draw more than 15A, the breaker will pop. Now, you can put 15A worth of appliances on this circuit, but then you are running it at its maximum all the time. If you add anything else to this circuit, you will pop the breaker. If you have something that draws surge current, it can opo the breaker under normal use. You have no "wiggle room" when you load it at its maximum. Also, as touched on above, if you run your circuit at the maximum you cannot add anything else. This is generally a sign that you need to upgrade your wiring. Furthermore, the breaker can handle 15A indefinitly under standard test conditions, which are close to ideal. Your breaker box may not be ideal. Breakers are thermal devices, so self heating and heating from other breakers can be a problem. If your breaker is hot, it will pop sooner than if it is cold. The more current that flows through it, the hotter it will get. If you are overloading circuits the easiest thing to do is to break the circuit up into multiple circuits. The exact implementation will depend on the situation.
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Are all voltages in a circuit referenced to ground?
Typically yes, but not always: you can also measure the voltage between any two points in a circuit to determine the voltage difference between those two points. It all depends what you are trying to find out about the circuit.Another example of a voltage that is not referenced to ground is the phase-to-phase voltage in a 3-phase electrical service.As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
What happens to the flow of electricity in an incomplete circuit?
It stops flowing. An analogy to this is the kitchen faucet ... water is always "at the ready" behind the valve, ready to flow when it is enabled. Same is true in an electrical circuit - once the circuit is broken (valve closed in above analogy) the flow of electrons ceases. If there is a light bulb which is not on it is a open circuit. If the light bulb is still on it is parallel circuit which has lot of wires causes some of the lights to go on and some to go of.
A circuit must be physically interrupted to measure?
This is a tough question to answer because you've forgotten to include WHAT electrical property you're trying to measure. If you are trying to measure current through a closed, complete circuit with a multimeter, then yes. You must physically disconnect the circuit at the point you wish to measure, and then re-complete the circuit by connecting the leads of your multimeter to the points you just disconnected. (Please be sure the circuit is not energized before you disconnect the circuit!) If you are trying to measure a voltage difference, then no. Just place the leads of your multimeter on the two points you wish to measure the voltage between. As always when dealing with electricity, its safety first. Please do everything you can to protect yourself from electrical shock, especially if you're dealing with 120V/240V line voltages in a house.
Is the sum of the resistance in a parallel circuit always excessds the total resistance in a circuit?
Not sure what you mean. The equivalent (total) resistance in a parallel circuit is less than any individual resistance.
Regarding Capacitors- can any general capacitor work on a circuit diagram that shows a polarized capacitor or do you need a special capacitor for polarization?
A Polarized capacitor means that the capacitor is polarity sensitive. if you were to connect the capacitor incorrectly the capacitor would blow up. A capacitor that is marked as being polarity sensitive will have the negative lead labeled usually with a white strip. These capacitors can only be used in conjunction with a dc source. Always consult a professional when installing electrical equipment.
Why live and neutral wire essential for proper working of electrical circuit?
Two wires are always needed to supply electrical equipment so that the current has a complete circuit to flow in. One of the wires is earthed at the supply transformer, that one is called the neutral, and the other one is the live.
Always treat electrical wires in a circuit as being?
Energized.
In which ways is a water circuit similar to an electrical circuit?
Water always flow from height to bottom mean high potential level to low potential level same happens in electrical circuit.
What is a electrical circuit?
An electrical circuit is a path which electrons from a current source flow. Electric current flows in a closed path called an electric circuit. The point where those electrons enter an electrical circuit is called the "source" of electrons. The point where the electrons leave an electrical circuit is called the "return". The exit point is called the "return" because electrons always end up at the source when they complete the path of an electrical circuit. The part of an electrical circuit that is between the electrons' starting point and the point where they return to the source is called an electrical circuit's "load". ---Nerd
Where do you place the copper ground when no green wire is available?
With limited information available as to the type of equipment that is to be grounded it is always safe to place the ground wire on the equipments frame. This will not be grounding but bonding which will keep all equipment within the electrical circuit on the same potential which should be zero.
Where would you use a parallel circuit?
Electrical wiring for buildings is always done in parallel circuits.
What size circuit breaker is required for 1000mA load?
Circuit breaker sizing is determined by the electrical wire size; not the load. The circuit breaker is used to protect the wire from overheating and causing a fire. The total amperage expected to be taken via all the outlets connected into a circuit determines the wire size. Check your National Electrical Codes manual or check with an electrician. As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
Why circuit breaker are connected in series with load?
Because it needs to be able to cut the power to the load. That's why circuit breakers are always the first piece of equipment in a circuit after the power supply.
As charge flows in a circuit some electrical energy always change to what energy?
light energy :) ANSWER: THERMAL ENERGY
Why should you avoid bodily contact with ground while working on live electrical equipment?
No-one should work on live electrical equipment without training, and the training would answer that question. Always turn equipment off and unplug before doing any work.
What are the parts of a simple electrical circuit?
An electrical circuit is a path which electrons from a voltage or current source flow. Electric current flows in a closed path called an electric circuit. The point where those electrons enter an electrical circuit is called the "source" of electrons. The point where the electrons leave an electrical circuit is called the "return" or "earth ground". The exit point is called the "return" because electrons always end up at the source when they complete the path of an electrical circuit. The part of an electrical circuit that is between the electrons' starting point and the point where they return to the source is called an electrical circuit's "load".Contents[hide] 1 Electrical-circuits2 Electronic circuits3 Circuit-and-wiring-diagrams4 Circuit-breakers5 Ground-fault-interrupt-(GFI)-devices6 Other websites
What to do if outlets don't work?
Check for a tripped GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor), a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker.As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
