MAGNETIC EFFECTS OF ELECTRIC CURRENT
DOMESTIC
ELECTRIC CIRCUITS
In homes, electric power is supplied through a main supply (mains), supported through overhead electric poles or by underground cables. In this, one wire is with red insulation cover (live wire or positive) and other wire is with black insulation (neutral wire or negative). In our country, the potential difference between the two is 220 V.
At the meter-board, these wires
pass into an electricity meter through a main fuse. Through the main
switch, they are connected to the line wires. These wires supply electricity to
separate circuits in the house.
Often, two separate circuits are
used, one of 15 A current rating for appliances with higher power
ratings such as geysers, air coolers, etc. The other circuit is of 5 A
current rating for bulbs, fans, etc.
The earth wire (green
insulation) is usually connected to a metal plate deep in the earth near the
house. This is a safety measure, especially for metallic appliances (e.g.,
electric press, toaster, table fan, refrigerator, etc.). The metallic body is
connected to the earth wire, which provides a low-resistance conducting path
for current. It ensures that any leakage of current to the metallic body of the
appliance keeps its potential to that of the earth, and the user may not get a
severe electric shock.
A schematic diagram of a common domestic circuits
In each separate circuit,
different appliances can be connected across live and neutral wires. Each
appliance has a separate switch to ON/ OFF the flow of current. In order that
each appliance has equal potential difference, they are connected parallel to
each other.
When the live wire and the
neutral wire come into direct contact, it causes overloading. This
occurs due to
o Damage
of insulation of wires or fault in the appliance.
o Accidental
hike in the supply voltage.
o Connection
of too many appliances to a single socket.
Due to overloading, the current
in the circuit abruptly increases. This is called short-circuiting. An electric
fuse can prevent the damage to the circuit and appliance by stopping unduly
high electric current. The Joule heating in the fuse melts it to break the
electric circuit.
