House wiring and fuses

Fuses
Fuses thin wire that melts (fuse blows) when too large a current flows through it.
Breaks the circuit Non-combustible case

Used to limit current from getting too high. Large currents are a thermal hazard. Electric power causes undesired heating effects whenever electric energy is converted to thermal energy at a rate faster than it can be safely dissipated.

Short-circuit
A short circuit is an undesired low-resistance path across a voltage source.

Worn insulation on the wires of a toaster allows them to come into contact with a low resistance r. Since P = V2/r, thermal power is created so rapidly that the cord melts or burns.

Thermal hazards of high current

For example, if V is 240 V and r is 0.100 , then the power is 576,000 W (!!!!), much greater than that used by a typical household appliance (e.g. 2,000 W heater). Thermal energy delivered at this rate will very quickly raise the temperature of surrounding materials, melting or perhaps igniting them.

 A thermal hazard can be created when circuits are overloaded with too much current. The power dissipated in the supply wires is P = I2Rw, where Rw is the resistance of the wires and I the current flowing through them. If I is too large, the wires overheat. If a high current is maintained for an extended period of time, surrounding materials can also melt or perhaps ignite

Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers are used more commonly than fuses
Faster to trip and break circuit Easily reset

Power boards in houses have either circuit breakers or fuses to keep current from getting to high. Usually set for 10A or 15A. Multi-plugs often have circuit breakers too.

House wiring
Wired in parallel
Everything gets 240 V Can use sockets or lights independently of each other

Can have multiple sockets or lights wired in parallel on each main supply wire. Need fuse or circuit breaker on main wire Multi-plugs are also wired in parallel

Make your own fuse

Draw and setup a circuit with a power supply, 10W or 18W light bulb, ammeter and fuse in series. Make a fuse by using one or two strands of steel wool to make a connection between the two nails. Connect system and observe what happens as you increase the voltage. Record the highest current.

House wiring
High power appliances have low resistance and therefore draw a high current. Low power appliances have high resistance and therefore draw a relatively low current. What appliances are safe to add a multi-plug? Which ones should you plug in by themselves?