Final answer:
The power rating of the 1500-watt heater is 1500 watts of power when plugged into a 120-volt outlet. Adding other devices like lamps to the same circuit can overload and trip a 15-ampere circuit breaker, but replacing incandescent bulbs with lower-wattage LEDs may prevent this.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the Power Rating and Circuit Load
The power rating of a heater is a measure of the electrical power it consumes. The 1500-watt heater you mentioned consumes 1500 watts of power when plugged into a standard 120-volt outlet, which is its power rating. To determine if this heater, along with other devices, will exceed the capacity of a 15-ampere circuit, we calculate the total current draw and compare it with the circuit's capacity.
For example, with the 1500-watt space heater and four 100-watt incandescent lamps, the total power draw is:
- 1500W (space heater) + 4 x 100W (lamps) = 1900 watts.
Converting the total power draw to current, using the formula I = P/V (where I is current in amperes, P is power in watts, and V is the voltage in volts), we get:
I = 1900W / 120V = 15.83A
This exceeds the 15A circuit breaker capacity and would lead to tripping the breaker. However, if the incandescent bulbs are replaced with 18-watt LED bulbs, the new calculation becomes:
- 1500W (space heater) + 4 x 18W (LEDs) = 1572 watts, or
- I = 1572W / 120V = 13.1A
This is under the 15A limit, and thus the circuit breaker would not trip. These calculations represent a practical aspect of understanding home electronics and ensuring safety when operating multiple devices on a single circuit.