Final answer:
The process of connecting too many electrical appliances to a single socket is known as overloading, which can cause a fuse to blow or a circuit breaker to trip, preventing thermal hazards. In the given example, the combined current draw of the appliances (27.295A) exceeds the 15A limit of the fuse, causing it to blow.
Step-by-step explanation:
Electrical Overload and Circuit Protection
The process of connecting too many electrical appliances to a single socket is known as overloading. Overloading can lead to thermal hazards, including the blowing of a fuse or tripping of a circuit breaker, designed to protect an electrical circuit from damage caused by excess current. Each electrical appliance, such as an 1800-W toaster, a 1400-W electric frying pan, and a 75-W lamp, requires a certain amount of current to operate safely. When these are connected in parallel to the same socket, we calculate the current drawn by each:
- Toaster: I = Power/Voltage = 1800W/120V = 15A
- Frying pan: I = 1400W/120V = 11.67A
- Lamp: I = 75W/120V = 0.625A
The total current drawn by all three devices is the sum of the individual currents: 15A + 11.67A + 0.625A = 27.295A. This exceeds the rated 15A fuse, and therefore, the fuse will blow to prevent wire overheating, a thermal hazard that could cause a fire.
Fuses and circuit breakers are safety devices that automatically open the circuit when a sustained current exceeds safe limits, preventing the flow of excessive current and providing critical protection against electrical fires and equipment damage.