Question

A single household circuit is connected to three electrical outlets all in parallel. The outlets are connected to three devices and 800 Dash W electric kettle, a 60 Dash W trouble light, and 1000 – W toaster oven if all three appliances operate at the same time, will the 15 Dash amp fuse of the circuit trip

Answer 1

All given components are in parallel

So when components are connected in parallel then total consumed power is sum of power of all components.

i.e. $P = P_1 + P_2 + P_3$

$P = 800 + 60 + 1000$

P = 1860 W

Now as we know that supply voltage is 120 volts

So we can find the current that must have been supply for this power consumption

P = V i

1860 = 120 * i

i = 15.5 A

Fuse wire can sustain maximum 15 A current so for the above case it will trip down

Answer 2

The total power dissipated by all 3 devices is 1,860 watts.

Power = (voltage) (current)

Current = (power) / (voltage)

If this scenario is being played out in North America, where the mains supplies 120 volts, then Current = (1860 watts) / (120 volts) = 15.5 Amperes. The 15-Ampere protective fuse in the circuit will fail.

If on the other hand the event is taking place anywhere in Europe or Asia, the mains supply is closer to 240 volts, and Current = (1860 watts) / (240 volts). THAT's only 7.75 Amperes. The fuse will be happy and relaxed, and it will remain cool as a cucumber.