IGCSE-Physics by M.

Saqib
Household circuitry, Hazards and safety
• Mains Electricity
• Hazards
• Safety
Mains Electricity
Mains electricity is the term used to refer to the electricity supply
from power stations to households.
Mains electricity is supplied as alternating current (a.c.)
Alternating current a.c. is one which is constantly changing i.e. the
current flows in one direction and then in the opposite direction,
again and again (continuously). In the Pakistan, a.c. supply goes in
one direction and then in the opposite direction 50 times in one
second.
Therefore, the frequency of a.c. supply is 50 cycles per second or 50
hertz.
Pakistan mains voltage is 230 Volts.
Mains electricity (from the power station)
enters the house via the Live wire. The
live wire carries the incoming electricity
and is therefore at 230V and so very
dangerous. Mains voltage is more than
enough to kill somebody.
The neutral wire is also supplied from the
power station and is used to complete the
circuit – hence the neutral wire has a
lower voltage than the live wire.
The earth wire is used for safety purposes
and carries the current away when there
is a fault.
Hazards of Electricity
Mains electricity is potentially lethal – potential differences as small as 50
volts can pose a serious hazard to individuals
Common hazards include:
•Damaged Insulation – if someone touches an exposed piece of wire,
they could be subjected to a lethal shock
•Overheating of cables – Passing too much current through too small a
wire (or leaving a long length of wire tightly coiled) can lead to the wire
overheating. This could cause a fire or melt the insulations, exposing live
wires
•Damp conditions – If moisture comes into contact with live wires, the
moisture could conduct electricity either causing a short circuit within a
device (which could cause a fire) or posing an electrocution risk
 Safety….Fuse
•A fuse is a safety device designed to cut off the flow of
electricity to an appliance if the current becomes too large (due
to a fault or a surge)
•Fuses usually consist of a glass cylinder which contains a thin
metal wire.
•If the current in the wire becomes too large:
• The wire heats up and melts
• This causes the wire to break, breaking the circuit and
stopping the current
•Fuses come in a variety of sizes (typically 3A, 5A and 13A) – in
order to select the right fuse for the job, you need to know how
much current an appliance needs
•If you know the power of the appliance (along with mains
voltage), the current can be calculated using the equation: I = V/R
•A Fuse is always connected in series, before the appliance
•The fuse should always have a current rating that is higher than the
current needed by the appliance, without being too high – always
choose the next size up
Example:
•Suppose an appliance uses 3.1 amps
• A 3 amp use would be too small – the fuse would blow as soon
as the appliance was switched on
• A 13 amp fuse would be too large – it would allow an extra 10
amps to pass through the appliance before it finally blew
• A 5 amp fuse would be an appropriate choice, as it is the next
size up
 Circuit Breaker
A Circuit breaker serves the same purpose as a
fuse.
Circuit-breakers offer the following advantages
compared to fuses.
•It works on electromagnetism
•Circuit-breakers respond quicker than fuses.
•Circuit-breakers are more reliable.
•Circuit-breakers are more sensitive.
•Unlike fuses which only operate once and need to
be replaced a circuit-breaker can be reset.
 Earthing
•Many electrical appliances have metal cases
•This poses a potential safety hazard:
• If a live wire (inside the appliance) came
into contact with the case, the case would
become electrified and anyone who
touched in would risk electrocution
•The earth wire is an additional safety wire that
can reduce this risk
•If this happens:
• The earth wire provides a low resistance
path to the earth
• His causes a surge of current in the
earth wire and hence also in the live wire
• The high current through the fuse causes
it to melt and break
• This cuts off the supply of electricity to
the appliance, making it safe
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