G.9, 2.

6 Mains Electricity

HOME APPLIANCES CONSUME ELECTRICITY

1. Air Conditioner, LED TV, Washing Machine, Clothes Dryer, Dishwasher, Refrigerator
Lights, Fan, Kitchen Appliances(oven, mixer), Radio, Computer using mains supply.
2. Electricity from batteries and cells for our mobile phone, Tablet, iPhone, torch light, radio
and so on.
Modern appliances are double insulated. The outer casing of the appliance is also made of
an insulating material, usually plastic. So there is no chance of an electric shock from the
casing.
Insulation: All mains wiring is double insulated with two layers of insulation. This prevents
the separate conductors (live, neutral and earth) from touching and prevents anyone from
touching a “live” (main voltage) wire.

UNITS
Symbols Units
current I A (ampere)

electric charge(charge) Q C(coulomb)

energy E J(joule)

resistance R Ω (ohm)

time T s(sec)

voltage V V(volt)(J/s)

power P W(watt)
Safety Devices

1. Fuse: A fuse is a safety device designed to cut off the flow of electricity to an
appliance if the current becomes too large. It is a thin wire which melts. It is used to
break the circuit.

Note: There are several sizes of fuses. In the UK are 3A, 5A and 13A. For example, if
the correct current in a circuit is 2A then it should be protected with a 3A fuse.

2. The Earth Wire

The earth wire is for safety; it prevents the casing of the device from becoming live. It only
carries a current when there is a fault. Outside case is made of metal. Direct connect to the
ground.

3. A circuit breaker is an automatically operated electrical switch designed to

protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by excess current from an overload
or short circuit.

Unlike a fuse, it can be reset. It does not need to be replaced. Cut of electric circuit faster.

Page 60.Figure 6.2

4. Double insulated: Outside case (of appliance) is made of an insulator. There is no

metal or conductor on the outside. (eg: plastic) and does not let electricity pass through.
Therefore can’t get a shock from it. It doesn’t need to be earthed. It is safe to touch.(hair
dryer, electric kettle)

5. Insulated Wire: Covered with a non-conductor (insulator, plastic, rubber)

6. Switches: Switches in mains circuits should always be placed in the live wire so that
when the switch is open no electrical energy can reach an appliance.
 ### Power: Power is the rate of energy transfer (the amount of energy transferred per
second).

Power (J) = joules/s or watts (W)

1kW = 1000W

 The power of an electrical component (or appliance) is given by the equation:

Power = Current x voltage

P=IxV
P(W) = I(A) ×V (V)
FORMULA TRIANGLE

Energy Transferred

 The amount of electrical energy used by a component or appliance depends upon three
things:
 The current
 The voltage
 The amount of time the device is used for.
The energy transferred can be calculated from the equation:

Total energy transferred = Power x length of time(time taken)

E=Pt (but P =I x V)
= ( I × V) × t = Watt × s = J/s × s = J

energy transferred = current x voltage x time

E=IxVxt
  Where the unit of energy is the joule (J).
 Note that this equation is related to the equation for power:

An alternating current (a.c.) is one that continuously changes its direction, going back and
forth around a circuit.
A direct current (d.c.) is one that is steady, constantly going the same way around a
circuit, from positive to negative.

 Electric cells (batteries) produce direct current (d.c.)

 Mains electricity is an alternating current (a.c.).