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Name:___________________________

ELECTRICITY AND CIRCUITS

“I’ve found out so much about electricity that I’ve reached the point where I
understand nothing and can explain nothing.”

Pieter Van Musschenbroek


Static Electricity
The learning outcomes of this lesson are to be able to…

Notes & Keywords


Big Picture
Conductors and Insulators
A conductor allows negatively charged electrons to flow through
it; an insulator does not allow electrons to flow. Electrons are still
present in an insulator but are normally stationary “static”. Static
electricity is concerned with electrons/charges on insulators.

Static Electricity
The word “static” means stationary, it refers to the way electrons behave in an
insulator, static electricity is an accumulation of charge. So how is it created?
• Static electricity can occur when two insulators are rubbed together.
• Although they cannot flow, it is possible for
electrons to be removed from the surface
of an insulator leaving it positive, this is
because the material now has more
protons.
• It is also possible to add electrons to the
surface of an insulator making it negative,
because there are now more electrons
than protons.
• Electrons are the only charges that are transferred between materials. Protons
never move!
• It depends on the materials as to which insulator will become positive or negative.
But one will always end up positive and one will always end up negative.

Attraction and Repulsion


The most important piece of information you need to remember when considering
static electricity is...
Like charges repel, unlike charges attract.
A proton (positive) and electron (negative) attract each other. Two electrons or two
protons would repel each other. A Van Der Graff generator transfers electrons to the
person touching it, these negative charges build up on the surface and repel each other.
The force is great enough to make individual hairs stand on end due to the repulsion
between the excess electrons on the surface of the person.

Electric Fields
Anything with a charge has an electric field around it. An electric field is a volume of
space in which an electric charge experiences a force.

If you charge the polythene rod in the section above and then move it close to
something that is positively charged, the positively charged object will experience a
force – it will be pulled towards (attracted to) the rod. If you move the charged rod
close to another negatively charged object, it will experience a force pushing it away
(repelling it).

These forces are a consequence of the electric field around the rod.
Questions: Static

Q1 Are electrons positively or negatively charged?

Q2 Complete this sentence:

Like charges ………………………………… while opposite charges ……………………………….


Q3 Complete these sentences:
If an object loses electrons it will become ……………………………………………….. charged.
If it gains electrons it will

become ……………………………………………. charged.


Q4 Explain how a balloon becomes charged if rubbed on a woolly jumper.

Q5 If two identical balloons were rubbed on two identical jumpers would they attract
each other or repel? Explain your answer.

Q6 Explain why a balloon which has been rubbed on your hair will stick to the ceiling.

Q7 Why is it hard to get a static charge to build up on a metal object?

Q8 Explain why aeroplanes need to be earthed after long flights before they can be
refuelled.

Stretch and Challenge


A static charge on an object gives rise to an electric field. What do the electric fields look like
around a point charge and a flat plate? What do electric field lines actually show?
There is a complicated looking equation which describes the force between charged particles.
See if you can calculate the force between two electrons separated by 1.2x10-5m. What happens
to the force if you double their separation?
Exam Question
(a) Bicycle frames can be painted using an electrostatic paint spray. The paint droplets
leave the spray gun with a positive charge. The bicycle frame is given a negative
charge.

(i) Explain why the paint droplets are all given a positive charge.

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................
(2)
(ii) Explain why the bicycle frame is given a negative charge.

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................
(2)
(b) Burning coal produces soot, ash
and waste gases.The diagram Chimney wall
shows an electrostatic
precipitator used to separate the
particles of soot and ash from the Negatively charged
waste gases. grid

Explain how the electrostatic Positively charged


precipitator separates the collecting plate
particles of soot and ash from the
waste gases.
Particles of soot
.................................................................
and ash rising up
the chimney
.................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................
Effort Target
Circuit Quantities
The learning outcomes of this lesson are to be able to…

Notes & Keywords


Big Picture
What is Electricity?
Electricity is not one thing! Electricity is a way of transferring energy, it depends on
charge, current, voltage and resistance.
• CHARGE – Electrons carry a charge it is measured in Coulombs (C), it takes
billions of electrons make 1 C of charge.
• CURRENT – Current is “the rate of flow of charge”, it is measured in Amps (A). If
lots of charge passes a point in a small time, this is a large current.
• POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE – The potential difference (or voltage) across a
component is the difference in the amount of energy used by it per unit of
charge. It’s the difference in potential energy of the electrons before they reach
the component and after they leave it.
• ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE (emf) – Emf is the amount of energy given to a coulomb
of charge by the power source in a circuit.
• RESISTANCE – Resistance is what makes it difficult for electrons to flow. Every
conductor has resistance, it is caused by electrons colliding with atoms in the
conductor. A big resistance means it is hard for electrons to flow, therefore
current is small. Resistance is measured in Ohms (Ω).

Circuit Equations
Quantity Symbol Unit
Charge Q Coulombs (C)
Current I Amps (A)
Voltage (Potential
V Volts (V)
Difference)
Time t Seconds (s)
Energy or Work Done W Joules (J)
Resistance R Ohms (Ω)

To calculate the current flowing in a circuit, you need to know how many coulombs of
charge is flowing, and the amount of time it takes to flow.
If there are more electrons (and therefore more
coulombs) moving around a complete circuit in the same Current Law
amount of time, the current is higher. If the same amount
of coulombs move around the circuit faster, the current is 𝑄
higher. 𝐼=
𝑡
Emf and Potential Difference
Emf and potential difference are very similar. They are
both a measure of ‘amount of energy per unit charge’. Potential
However, there is an important difference which you need
to remember: Difference law
Emf is the amount of energy supplied to a coulomb of
charge by a power source
𝐸
Potential difference across a component is the amount of
𝑉=
𝑄
energy supplied to a component by a coulomb of charge
Questions: Circuit Quantities
Q1 What do the symbols stand for in the current equation? Give the units!
𝑸
𝑰= I=
𝒕
Q= t=
Q2 Give the two rearrangements of the equation:
𝑸
𝑰= Q= t=
𝒕
Q3 What do the symbols stand for in the voltage equation? Give the units!
𝑬
𝑽= V=
𝑸
E= Q=
Q4 Give the two rearrangements of the equation:
𝑬
𝑽= E= Q=
𝑸
Q5 Combine the equations to get an expression for Energy in terms of current, voltage and
time

Q6 Calculate the current flowing if 1.2C of charge flows past a point in 3s.

Q7 Calculate the energy used by a bulb in 5s with a current of 3A when there is a potential
difference of 12V across it.

Q8 How much charge passes through the bulb in Q7 in 5 minutes?

Q9 Calculate the work done in the bulb over the 5 minutes.

Q10. Draw a circuit that could calculate how much energy was being used by a resistor.
How would you use it?

Stretch and Challenge


What current flows through a 150 resistor when connected to a 12V battery? How much charge
flows through the resistor in one second? How many electrons is this? If the resistor always contains
6x1021 electrons, how long would it take for the electrons which were in the resistor when the
current was connected to be forced out and be completely replaced with others? If the resistor is
1cm long, how fast are the electrons moving round the circuit?
Exam Question

Effort Target
I-V Graph Analysis
The learning outcomes of this lesson are to be able to…

Notes & Keywords


Big Picture
Ohms Law
When there is a current through a component, that component uses a certain amount
of energy. The energy that it uses is the potential difference across the component per
unit of charge.
The higher the potential difference, the more energy the electrons have, the faster
they are moving and therefore the higher the current. V∝ I
If the component has a higher resistance, more energy is needed to make the same
amount of current pass through. V∝R
This can be represented mathematically by Ohm’s Law:

𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅
V= potential difference (V) I = current (A) R=Resistance (Ω)

Current vs Voltage Graphs


Current vs. Voltage graphs are very useful, by looking at them you can describe how a
component behaves or vice versa. Note that current and voltage are plotted for both
positive and negative directions, it helps to think about only one quadrant at a time.

Resistor or Wire Description


The graph of current vs. voltage for a wire or resistor is directly
proportional. If you double the voltage you also double the
current.

Explanation
The graph is directly proportional because resistance is
constant. We say that a wire or resistor is an ohmic device,
when temperature is constant.

Ohms Law can be used at any point on any of these graphs


to calculate resistance!

𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅
Fillament Lamp or Bulb Description
To begin with the current vs. voltage graph for a filament lamp
is directly proportional. However, when the voltage is doubled
you do not get double the current. When a large voltage is
applied there is only a small increase in current.

Explanation
A flow of current causes the wire to heat up, atoms gain kinetic
energy and collisions with electrons are more frequent. This has
the effect of increasing resistance, so current no longer
increases in proportion. A filament lamp is a non-ohmic
device.
Resistance of a wire
Resistance is caused by atoms getting in the way of the flowing electrons. A longer wire
has more atoms and so higher resistance. A wire with a bigger diameter has more space
for the electrons to pass through, so lower resistance.
Questions: IV Graph Analysis
Q1 What is Ohm’s law in words?

Q2 What happens to the temperature of a wire or resistor when the current is increased?

Q3 What happens to the resistance of a wire or resistor when the current is increased?

Q4 Explain your answer to Q3 using the Notes & Keywords “ions” and “electrons”.

Q5 Sketch I-V graphs for the following components:

Ohmic Filament
resistor lamp

Q6 Explain why people are more likely to use LEDs than a traditional filament lamp.

Q7. What two factors affect the resistance of a wire? How do they affect it?

Stretch and Challenge


How does a fluorescent tube actually produce light?
What is resistivity and how can it be used to calculate the resistance of a wire. What is the
equation?
Exam Question
(a) The diagram shows the voltage-current graphs for three different electrical
components.

Current 0.3 Current 0.3 Current 0.3


in amps in amps in amps
0.2 0.2 0.2

0.1 0.1 0.1

0.0 0.0 0.0


0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3 0 1 2 3
Voltage Voltage Voltage
in volts in volts in volts
A B C

Which one of the components A, B or C could be a 3 volt filament lamp? Explain the
reason for your choice.

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................
(3)
(b) Using the correct symbols draw a circuit diagram to show how a battery, ammeter and
voltmeter can be used to find the resistance of the wire shown.
Thin wire

(3)

(c) When correctly connected to a 9 volt battery the wire has a current of 0.30 amperes
flowing through it.

(i) Give the equation that links current, resistance and voltage.

...............................................................................................................................................................
(1)
(ii) Calculate the resistance of the wire. Show clearly how you work out your answer and
give the unit.

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................

Resistance = .........................................................
(3)
(iii) When the wire is heated, the current goes down to 0.26 amperes. State how the
resistance of the wire has changed.

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

Effort Target
Components: HWK Lesson
You’ll be tested on these in class
The learning outcomes of this lesson are to be able to…

Notes & Keywords


Big Picture

Component Circuit Picture Function Application


Symbol

Opens or closes and Turning devices on


Switch
circuit. or off.

Cell Provides voltage. Source of energy.

Battery Provides voltage. Source of energy.

Provides light when


Lamp Lighting.
current flows.
Melts and breaks
Fuse circuit if too much Safety device.
current.

Voltmeter Placed in parallel. Measures voltage.

Ammeter Placed in series. Measures current.

Resists flow of
Resistor Limits current.
electrons.

Changes resistance
Variable
and thereby changes Dimmer switch.
Resistor
current.

Resistance decreases Thermostat –


Thermistor and temperature temperature
increases. control.

Light As light intensity


Turn lights on when
Dependent increases resistance
it’s dark.
Resistor (LDR) decreases.

Only allows current to


Diode Safety device.
flow in one direction.

Light Emitting Provides light when Low energy


Diode (LED) current flows. lighting.
Questions: Components
Q1 Draw the circuit symbols for:

switch cell LED

battery diode LDR


variable
resistor thermistor
resistor

lamp fuse ammeter

voltmeter

Q2 What happens to the resistance of an LDR as the temperature increases?

Q3 Draw a circuit which would increase the brightness of a bulb when it got dark and vice
versa

Q4 What happens to the resistance of a thermistor as the temperature increases?

Q5 Draw a circuit which would turn the heating up when it got cold and turn it down if it
got hot.

Stretch and Challenge


What is a relay? How does it work and why is it used?
How does a battery actually work? how are they constructed?
How does a solar cell produce electricity? (This could be a complicated one!)
What is a capacitor? There are different types – how are they different and what are they used
for?
Exam Question

Effort Target
Series and Parallel Circuits
The learning outcomes of this lesson are to be able to…

Notes & Keywords


Big Picture

Series and Parallel Circuits


Ohms law can be used to calculate the voltage, current or resistance at any point, as
long as you understand how current and voltage behave in either series or parallel.
The equations still work no matter how many resistors!

Series Circuit Series Equations

𝐼𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝐼1 = 𝐼2 = 𝐼3

𝑉𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙= 𝑉1 + 𝑉2 + 𝑉3

𝑅𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 + 𝑅3

Explanation
• CURRENT - In a series circuit there is only one loop for the current to pass around so it is the
same everywhere, always 3A.
• RESISTANCE - The current has to pass through the first 2Ω resistor and then the second 2Ω
resistor, the total resistance it experiences is 4Ω.
• VOLTAGE – Because the resistances are the same it takes the same amount of energy to
push current through either of them, so voltage is 6V across both. A resistor twice as big
would take twice the voltage, but the total that can be supplied is still 12V.

Parallel Circuit Parallel Equations


𝐼𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝐼1 + 𝐼2 + 𝐼3

𝑉𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙= 𝑉1 = 𝑉2 = 𝑉3

1/𝑅𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙= 1/𝑅1 + 1/𝑅2 + 1/𝑅3


Explanation
• CURRENT – Current now has an option of which loop to
travel through. Notice that twice as much current flows
through the 2Ω resistor because the resistance is half as
much. 3A in one loop plus 6A in the other loop gives 9A in
total.
• RESISTANCE – The Rtotal is less than in series because the
current does not have to pass through both resistors at
once.
• VOLTAGE – In parallel each resistor experiences the same
potential difference as the supply.

NOTE: Ammeters are always placed in series to measure current through...


Voltmeters are always placed in parallel to measure voltage across...
Questions: Series and Parallel
Q1 What will the readings on the voltmeters be? Write next to the meters.
a b

Q2 What will the readings on the voltmeters be? Write next to the meters.

a b c
Q3 What is the total resistance of the circuit in Q1b?

Q4 Calculate the current flowing in the circuit in Q1b.

Q5 Calculate the current flowing in the 500 resistor in Q2b.

Q6 Calculate the current flowing in the bulb (1000) in Q2b.

Q7 (i)Work out the total resistance in question 2b. (ii)Now do the same for 2c.

Stretch and Challenge


What is the rule for the total resistance in a parallel circuit?
All the bulbs have the same resistance. Calculate the total resistance of the circuits in Q2.
Each battery stores the same amount of energy. Rank the circuits starting with the one whose
battery will run out first. Make sure you show clear working out. (This is not easy!)
Exam Question
A circuit was set up as shown in the diagram.
(a) The table gives the current through three of the ammeters. Complete the table to show
the current through the other two ammeters.
V

Ammeter Reading on
A5 ammeter in amps

R1 A1 Al 0.2

A4 A2 0.6

R2 A2 A3 0.3

A4

R3 A3 A5

(2)
(b) The reading on the voltmeter is 12 V.What is the resistance of R2?
Show your working and include the correct unit.

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................

Resistance = .......................................
(3)
(c) In the circuit above, the resistor R2burned out and current stopped flowing in it. There
was no other change to the circuit.
Complete the table below to show the readings on the ammeters after this took place.

Ammeter Reading on ammeter in


amps

Al 0.2

A2 0.0

A3

A4

A5

Effort Target
Potential Dividers and Relays
The learning outcomes of this lesson are to be able to…

Notes & Keywords


Big Picture
What is a potential divider?
You already know that potential is another word for voltage. Divider
means to split up. Therefore a potential divider is something that splits up
voltage. This is really useful, say we have a voltage supply of 10V but a
bulb that only needs 2V, we can use the potential divider to split up the
10V into a 2V and an 8V.

Potential Divider Explanation


To the right is an image of a potential divider. The supply is 10V to the top
of the two resistors. Voltage is “dropped” across each resistor but it is
dropped in different amounts. Why? Because the resistors have different
values. The voltage dropped is the energy per change used to push
through, a resistance 4 times as big requires 4 times as much voltage to
be dropped across it. You can work out how much using ratios. There
are 5Ω of resistance in total, so the voltage supply will be split into 5 parts. You should
now be able to see that R2 will have 8V across it and R1 will have 2V across it. TIP: Do
not try and explain potential dividers using ideas of current, only think of voltage!

Sensing Circuits
A potential divider can be used to sense changes around us
such as heat and light, then turn on a light or AC unit. The most
important thing you need to remember is how your sensors
resistance changes. The LDR increases its resistance in the dark,
R is constant. If asked to explain how this circuit works structure
your answer like this.
• As light intensity decreases LDR resistance increases.
• The resistance of R is unchanged.
• Causing more of VIN to be dropped across the LDR.
• Eventually VOUT would be high enough to turn on a bulb.
Be aware that the sensing resistor could also be at the top of the resistor chain and this
will affect how the potential divider behaves.

The Relay
As exciting and amazing as potential divider circuits are they
have a problem. In the example above VOUT gets gradually
higher and higher, if a bulb was connected to it, it would get
gradually brighter and brighter. This is often not what we want.
We usually want a device to be either on or off! Here comes the
super relay to save the day!

A relay is a switch. When the voltage from the potential divider


is big enough the magnet attracts the switch and closes the
circuit and vice versa, now our bulb is either on or off.

Another main advantage of a relay is we can supply our sensing potential divider with
a small voltage but connect the relay to a big voltage. So a 2V temperature sensor
can be used to turn on a 100V AC unit. A relay is used to separate your motorbike key
from the 120V that starts the engine.
Questions: Potential Dividers and Relays
Q1 What does a potential divider do?

Q2 A potential divider needs a sensing resistor. Give 2 examples of sensing resistors, draw
their symbols, give their names, and what change makes their resistance increase.

Q3 Look at the first diagram in the lesson notes. Each of the resistors is doubled, R1 = 2Ω
and R2 = 8Ω. What is the new VOUT? Explain your answer.

Q4 Now R1 = 10KΩ and R2 = 90KΩ. What is VOut?

Q5 Look at second diagram in the notes. If the LDR is at the top and R is at the bottom
explain how VOUT changes as it gets darker. Redraw the diagram to help you follow the
steps.

Q6 Draw the potential divider that could be used to turn on a heater when it gets cold.

Q7 List the benefits of using a relay.


Exam Question

Effort Target
Electrical Power
The learning outcomes of this lesson are to be able to…

Notes & Keywords


Big Picture

What is Electrical Power?


Power is the rate at which energy is transferred, it is how quickly energy is used, it is the
joules per second. Power is measured in Watts (W). When studying mechanical power
you were concerned with force, distance, energy or time. With electrical power we
are concerned with voltage, current, resistance, energy, charge or time. However, it is
essentially exactly the same thing.

The Equations
You should already be familiar with some of the equations used below. Electrical
power questions often require you to use two or three different equations to get to your
answer, expect to rearrange and substitute values. Voltage is the energy per unit of
charge, current is the charge per unit of time therefore...
𝑷 = 𝑰𝑽 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑬 = 𝑰𝑽𝒕
Equations can be combined and all these combinations are given in the table below.
TIP: When approaching a question look at all your equations, put a tick next to the terms
you know. Look for an equation with only one unknown, you can solve it. You may then
need to substitute your answer into a second equation. DO NOT TRY AND REMEMBER ALL
OF THE EQUATIONS BELOW! Learn the equations for voltage, current and power, then work
out the rest in the exam if you need it.

𝐸 𝑉2
Power, P (W) 𝑃= 𝑃 = 𝐼𝑉 𝑃= 𝑃 = 𝐼2 𝑅
𝑡 𝑅
𝑄 𝑉 𝑃 𝑃
Current, I (A) 𝐼= 𝐼= 𝐼= 𝐼= √
𝑡 𝑅 𝑉 𝑅
𝑊 𝑃
Voltage (V) 𝑉= 𝑉 = 𝐼𝑅 𝑉 = √𝑃𝑅 𝑉=
𝑄 𝐼
𝑉2 𝑉 𝑃
Resistance (Ω) 𝑅= 𝑅= 𝑅= 2
𝑃 𝐼 𝐼

With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility


The important facts:
• By using these equations you can calculate the current from a power rating. This
is important because it means you know the correct value of fuse to select.
• Energy issues are strongly linked to power, we need to calculate the power of
devices to save energy.
• Filament lamps heat up, energy is dissipated in the filament, is it transferred to
heat. Lower power bulbs such as LED’s and Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL’s)
save energy.
• You have a responsibility when purchasing appliances to look at power, energy
consumption and how efficiently they transfer energy to useful forms.
Questions: Electrical Power
Q1 What do the symbols stand for in the electrical power equation? Give the units!
𝑬
𝑷= P=
𝒕
E= t=
Q2 What do the symbols stand for in the second power equation? Give the units!
𝑷 =𝑰×𝑽 P=

I= V=
Q3 What do the symbols stand for in Ohm’s law? Give the units!
𝑬= 𝑽×𝑸 E=

V= Q=
Q4 Calculate the power of a light bulb which transfers 400J of energy in 10 seconds.

Q5 Calculate the current flowing in the bulb from Q4 if it operates at a voltage of 230V.

Q6 Calculate the charge which flows through the bulb in Q4 & 5 over the 10 seconds.

Q7 Explain why a consumer may choose compact fluorescent lamps (CFL’s) over
traditional filament bulbs.

Q8 Calculate the voltage required to transfer 1.8kJ of energy if a charge of 200C passes
through a motor.

Q9 Calculate the energy transferred if a current of 5 Amps flows for 3 minutes at a voltage
of 9V.
Exam Question
When a mains lamp is switched on it takes 0.5 seconds for the filament to reach its normal
operating temperature. The way in which the current changes during the first second
after switching on is shown in the sketch graph below. Mains voltage is 240 V.

0.4

0.3

current
(A) 0.2

0.1

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
time (s)
(b) Describe how the resistance of the lamp changes after the current has reached its
maximum value.

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................
(2)
(c) Calculate the maximum power taken by the lamp.

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................
(2)
(d) Calculate the power of the lamp in normal use.

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................
(2)
(e) Calculate the energy used by the lamp in six hours of normal use.

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................

...............................................................................................................................................................
(3)

Effort Target
Electrical Safety
The learning outcomes of this lesson are to be able to…

Notes & Keywords


Big Picture
Electricity can be very dangerous, you might not realise it but all the devices you use
have multiple safety features built into them.

Risks
There are many things that can increase your risk of injury or death from electricity.

Risk Explanation Picture


Damaged If the insulation around a wire
insulation is damaged it could expose
the metal underneath. If you
accidentally touch the metal,
electricity will travel through
your body to Earth, giving you
an electric shock.

Overheating If you plug too many things


of cables into the same socket, the
amount of current going to
that socket increases greatly.
This causes extra heating of
the wires. If the wires get hot
enough, they could melt the
insulation, exposing the wire
or they could start a fire
Damp Regular water contains
Conditions dissolved ions which can
carry charge. If electricity
flows in wet conditions it can
be conducted through the
water and cause electric
shocks to anyone who
touches the water.

Safety Features
There is a specific safety feature of most circuits that you need to be aware of:

Feature Explanation Picture


If a fault causes too much current to flow
there is danger of a fire. A fuse is a thin wire,
connected to live, if too much current flows
it melts and the circuit is broken.
Choosing a fuse
Fuse You need to be able to choose the right fuse
for a circuit. The fuse ‘rating’ should match
or be just above the current needed by the
circuit. If the fuse rating is too low, it will melt
in normal situations. If the rating is too high, it
will not melt even when there is a fault.
Questions: Safety Fuses and Circuit Breakers
Q1. What are the dangers of damaged insulation around wires?

Q2 What are the dangers of overloading a plug socket?

Q3 Explain how a fuse protects you in the event of a fault.

Q4 Which of these fuses would you select for use in an appliance rated to 4 Amps? Explain
your choice.

Q5 Would an appliance rated to 13 Amps have thicker or thinner cabling than one rated to
5 Amps?

Q6 Explain why using a fused extension cable is better than using one with no fuse.

Stretch and Challenge


What is a circuit breaker?
Why is it used in your home? Can you find it?
Why is it better than a fuse?
Exam Question

Effort

Target

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