P5 - Electricity in the home Flashcards
What is an alternating current?
Electric current in a circuit that repeatedly reverses its direction
What is a direct current?
Electric current in a circuit that is in one direction only
What is a fuse?
A fuse contains a thin wire that melts and cuts the current off if too much current passes through it
What is an oscilloscope?
A device used to display the shape of an electrical wave
What are step down transformers?
Electrical device used to step down the size of an alternating potential difference
What are step-up transformers?
Electrical device used to step-up the size of an alternating potential difference
What is electrical power?
The rate of energy transfer by each electrical component
What are the 3 equation for power
- Power = Energy / time
- Power = Current x Potential Difference
- Power = Current² x Resistance
What is the unit for power?
Watt
What are the 4 types of domestic fuses?
- 1A
- 3A
- 5A
- 13A
How do you determine what fuse to use?
Electrical power / potential difference = fuse rating (current) [You always round up to the fuse rating]
Why is it a bad idea to use an incorrect fuse?
- A fuse that is too low will fail almost immediately, breaking the circuit
- A fuse that is too big will fail to break the circuit if the current is too large, this can cause damage to the circuit such as burning the insulation or melting the wire. It could even start a fire.
What fuse would you use if the current through a circuit is 2.2A and why?
You would use a 3A fuse because it would not melt when the correct current is flowing through the circuit, however if the current becomes too high it would fail, protecting the house
What is the potential difference of the mains supply?
230 Volts
What fuse would you use if the current in a circuit was 9.1A?
You would use a 13A fuse as the fuse would not melt if the correct current if flowing through the circuit, however it would fail and protect the house if the current is too high
What are the 2 equations for voltage?
- V = IR
* V = E / Q
What forces charge around a circuit?
Potential difference
What is charge carried around the circuit by?
electrons