How much current does a 1500W electric appliance draw in a 120V circuit?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the current drawn by a 1500W electric appliance when connected to a 120V circuit, using the relationship between power, voltage, and current.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the formula P = VI to find the current, with one participant expressing uncertainty about the simplicity of the calculation. Others question the implications of the power rating being a maximum and whether real-world conditions might affect the actual current drawn.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants exploring the validity of the calculation and considering the context of the power rating. There is acknowledgment of the simplicity of the problem, but also a recognition of potential complexities in real-world scenarios.

Contextual Notes

One participant notes that this question is part of an assignment, which may limit the information available for consideration. There is also a mention of varying power draw in practical applications compared to rated power.

Jabababa
Messages
52
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


The power rating of an electric appliance is 1500 W. How much current does this appliance draw when it is used in a home electric circuit ( V= 120)?


Homework Equations



P= VI


The Attempt at a Solution



P= VI => I= P/V => I= 1500W/120V = 12.5A

Is this correct? This seems way too simple ha ha ha...so I am not sure.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Jabababa said:

Homework Statement


The power rating of an electric appliance is 1500 W. How much current does this appliance draw when it is used in a home electric circuit ( V= 120)?

Homework Equations



P= VI

The Attempt at a Solution



P= VI => I= P/V => I= 1500W/120V = 12.5A

Is this correct? This seems way too simple ha ha ha...so I am not sure.

If this is an early assignment on the topic, you could expect it to be simple. If this is a final assessment assignment you could be forgiven for wondering.
 
It probably is that simple but ...

The power rating is the maximum power that the device can draw. For example the 500W rated power supply in my PC draws a lot less in practice.
 
Thanks for your input CWatters, this is one of the question from my assignment so i can only work with what i have.
 

Similar threads

Find the total power developed in the circuit given the readout
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
AC, 2 appliances in parallel, one of them is disconnected
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Can a 60W 120V Appliance Surpass the Max Household Current and Blow a Fuse?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
6K
Undergrad Current's Effect on Electrical Arcs
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
4K
Saving $$ on Power Usage: Rewire Household Appliance
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
How to calculate the efficiency of a switch mode power supply?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
How can I represent these resistances on a diagram?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
Power loss when fan is connected; finding current
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Heating Effect of Electric Current-Transmit at High Voltage
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Change in watts and power dissipated
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K