Copyright © Michael Richmond.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.
Measuring current and Household Wiring
- Magnetic fields exert force on a current-carrying wire;
we can use these forces to measure the current.
- A galvanometer is a simple device to measure
current via deflection of a current-carrying wire in a
magnetic field.
- By splitting the current through an ammeter into several
pieces via shunt resistors, one can extend its range.
- Typical houses contain several circuits, all connected in parallel
to the external power supply. Each circuit is rated to carry at
most a certain current (typically 10 to 30 amps)
- Each circuit contains a circuit breaker, or a fuse,
to prevent larger currents from flowing
- Three-prong wires contain a special ground wire which
carries any stray current through an appliance away from
human touch.
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Copyright © Michael Richmond.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.