Thursday 4 April 2024 1

4.3 – Power and AC/DC Mains Learning objective: understand what is electrical power
and how to calculate it and AC/DC mains

Starter Success criteria:

 Understand what is electrical power
 Understand ACDC mains graphical representation
1. Why is a fuse installed in power plugs?  Apply knowledge to answer exam style questions

2. What are the three wires in a power plug and explain their use.

3. If a kettle of 600W runs from mains electricity. Which fuse should you
chose?

Challenge Support Video

Support
4. Explain what happens if the fuse is connected to
the neutral wire?

Keywords
Heating Element, Power Rating, Electrical Power, Direct Current, Alternating Current
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4.3 – Power and AC/DC Mains
Starter Purple Pen: Self-Assessment
1. Why is a fuse installed in power plugs?
As a safety feature so if there is a current surge the fuse would “blow” preventing the high current running
through device causing electrical damage.

2. What are the three wires in a power plug and explain their use.
Live wire – proves path along which electrical energy travels.
Neutral wire – completes circuit
Earth wire – normally has no current but is there for safety
3. If a kettle of 600W runs from mains electricity. Which fuse should you chose?
I = P/V = 600 / 240 = 2.5A 3A fuse
Challenge
4. Explain what happens if the fuse is connected to the neutral wire?

If the fuse was connected to the neutral wire then it wouldn’t act as a safety feature because mains travels
through the live wire. If there was a power surge then the fuse wouldn’t act and this would cause electrical
damage to the component.
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Mains Electricity
Learning Journey
4.1 – Main Electricity and Safety
4.2 – Power Plugs
4.3 – Power and AC/DC Mains
4.4 – Revision
4.5 – Assessment
4.6 – Feedback
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4.3 – Power and AC/DC Mains
Introduction
Wiring in the house is designed to let current pass through easily therefore wires do not get warm when
appliances are being used – low resistance. However, if the application requires a heating effect like in:
filament bulbs or kettles (heating elements) then the resistance of these components is high. In the filament
bulb, the resistance is so high that the filament glows releasing light.
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4.3 – Power and AC/DC Mains
Mechanical Power
Task: what is mechanical power?

Mechanical power is a measure of the rate at which work is performed or energy is transferred within
mechanical systems. The expression for mechanical power uses the same basic formula as all types of power:

P=W/t

Where:

P is power in watts
W is work in joules
t is time in seconds
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4.3 – Power and AC/DC Mains
Electrical Power
Task: what is electrical power?

The image shows 50W halogen light bulb – can also buy 70W light bulbs. Both transfer electrical energy to
heat and light – 70W will shine brighter because it transfers 70W of electrical energy every second therefore
this bulb will have a higher power rating.

Electrical power is the rate at which work is done or energy is

transformed in an electrical circuit.
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4.3 – Power and AC/DC Mains
Electrical Power
Electrical power is measured in joules per second or watts (W). Devices that transfer lots of energy very
quickly have their power rating express in kilowatts (kW)

1kW = 1000W

Electrical power of an appliance is related to the voltage (V) across it and the current (I) flowing through it.

Power, P (W) = Current, I (A) * Voltage, V (V)

P = IV
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4.3 – Power and AC/DC Mains
AC/DC Mains
Cells or batteries provide currents and voltages that are always in the same direction and have the same value –
direct current (DC) – straight line on the graph.

Whereas alternating current (AC) is generated at power stations and the current and voltage behave like a
sine wave – value increases and decreases but all that means it that it is changing direction.
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4.3 – Power and AC/DC Mains
Test Yourself
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4.3 – Power and AC/DC Mains
Test Yourself Purple Pen: Self-Assessment
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4.3 – Power and AC/DC Mains
Test Yourself
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4.3 – Power and AC/DC Mains
Test Yourself Purple Pen: Self-Assessment
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4.3 – Power and AC/DC Mains
Test Yourself
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4.3 – Power and AC/DC Mains
Test Yourself Purple Pen: Self-Assessment
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Plenary – Critical Thinking Grid

Challenge: connect 5
colours based on your
learning in the lesson.

Learning objective:
understand the features of
mains electricity and how it is
made safe

Success criteria:
 Explain why plug sockets
have earthing wire
 Understand why fuses are
used and their values
 Apply knowledge to real-
life scenarios