Final answer:
The current drawn by an 1800-W toaster, 1400-W electric frying pan, and 75-W lamp on a 15-A, 120-V circuit are 15 A, 11.67 A, and 0.625 A respectively. The total current draw of these devices exceeds the 15-A limit and will blow the fuse.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to the current draw of electrical appliances when connected in parallel to a 15-A, 120-V circuit. Specifically, the question involves an 1800-W toaster, a 1400-W electric frying pan, and a 75-W lamp.
Calculating Current Draw
(a) To find the current drawn by each device, we use the power formula P = VI, where P is power in watts, V is voltage in volts, and I is current in amperes. First, we rearrange the formula to solve for I (current): I = P/V.
For the 1800-W toaster: I = 1800 W / 120 V = 15 A
For the 1400-W electric frying pan: I = 1400 W / 120 V = 11.67 A
For the 75-W lamp: I = 75 W / 120 V = 0.625 A
Fuse Assessment
(b) To determine if this combination will blow the 15-A fuse, we sum the currents: Total current = 15 A + 11.67 A + 0.625 A = 27.295 A. This value exceeds the 15-A limit of the fuse. Also, following safety regulations, continuous usage should be limited to 80% of the breaker's capacity; hence, the realistic limit would be 12 A (80% of 15 A). The total calculated current draw here is much higher than the safe limit, so the answer is yes, this combination will indeed blow the 15-A fuse.