Combination circuit with Series & Parallel light bulbs

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a homework problem involving a combination circuit with one 18-watt lamp and two 60-watt light bulbs connected in parallel and in series. Participants are tasked with calculating the current flow through each light and the total resistance of the circuit, considering both AC and DC scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates the current for the 18-watt lamp as I1 = P/V = 18/120 = 0.15A and for the 60-watt bulbs as I2 = P/V = 60/120 = 0.5A, but expresses doubt about the correctness of these values.
  • The same participant notes a discrepancy in voltage calculations, suggesting that the total voltage calculated (240V) indicates an error in their previous calculations.
  • Another participant provides a link to a resource about current flow in nodes, implying a need for further understanding of circuit principles.
  • One participant asserts that the original poster confuses rated current with actual current, emphasizing that rated currents are used to calculate resistance but actual currents depend on the total circuit resistance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus. There are competing views regarding the correctness of the initial calculations and the understanding of current flow in the circuit.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the calculations and the relationships between rated and actual currents, indicating potential misunderstandings of circuit principles. The discussion does not resolve these uncertainties.

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Homework Statement


One 18 watt lamp and two 60-watt light bulb are plugged into a 120V circuit. For either DC or AC, the two bulbs are connected each other in parallel and in series with the lamp in the same circuit. Calculate;
i. the current flow through each light
ii. the total resistance of the circuit,

The soultion provided is I1 = P /V = 18 /120 = 0.15A ,
I2 = P / V = 60/120 = 0.5A

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I have tried to sketch the diagram as attached .

R1= 120/ 0.15 = 800 ohm , R2 = 120/0.5 = 240 ohm
I doubt the ans is correct . When i check thru the working again , i found that the V total = 0.15(800) + 0.5(240) = 240V ...

So , i think it's wrong ...

Correct me if i am wrong
 

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Your sketch is wrong. See this one:
upload_2018-6-17_12-32-35.png
 

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Babadag said:
Your sketch is wrong. See this one:
View attachment 227053
R1= 120/ 0.15 = 800 ohm , R2 = 120/0.5 = 240 ohm
I doubt the ans is correct . When i check thru the working again , i found that the V total = 0.15(800) + 0.5(240) = 240V ...

So , i think it's wrong ...

Correct me if i am wrong
 
You confuse the rated current with the actual current. 0.15 A and 0.5 A are RATED bulb currents. The rated current helps you to calculate the resistance. The rated resistance REMAINS the same in any circuit but the actual current is different and it depends on the total circuit resistance.
 

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