Final answer:
The typical residential electrical service is either 100 or 200 amps. A 100-amp service operating at 80% capacity uses 9.6 kW and would amount to 6912 kWh of consumption per month, costing $1036.80 at $0.15 per kWh. Safety measures like circuit breakers are rated in amperes to prevent excessive current that could cause harm or damage.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common electrical service for a house in terms of amperes is typically either a 100-amp or 200-amp circuit breaker panel. If a house with a 100-amp service operates at 80% capacity, this means it's consuming 80 amps. To calculate the power being used at a voltage of 120 V, you multiply the current (in amps) by the voltage (in volts), resulting in 9600 watts or 9.6 kilowatts (kW). Over the course of a month (30 days), if the usage remains constant, the total consumption would be 9.6 kW × 24 hours × 30 days = 6912 kWh. At a cost of $0.15 per kWh, the monthly cost would be 6912 kWh × $0.15/kWh = $1036.80.
Circuit breakers in homes protect electrical circuits by interrupting the flow of electricity in the event of an overload, indicated by their amperage ratings. For example, a living room might be on a 15-amp breaker, while a refrigerator might be on a separate 20-amp breaker. The rating indicates the maximum current that the appliances connected can safely use without tripping the breaker.
Household appliances typically operate at 110 V, but power companies transport electricity at much higher voltages, reducing the voltage near the point of use with transformers. While this may introduce some inefficiency due to heat loss, it is done because higher voltages allow for the transmission of power over long distances with less energy loss, ensuring that electricity reaches consumers reliably.
In terms of safety, understanding that it is the current, or amperage, that poses danger in the case of electric shock, not voltage, is crucial. This is why devices such as circuit breakers are rated in amps—they act to prevent the flow of excessive current which could harm both people and appliances.