Final answer:
A 3 KW heating element operating at 120 volts draws 25 amps, calculated by using the formula I = P / V. This amount of current would overload a 15-amp circuit breaker.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking about the current drawn by a 3 KW heating element operating at 120 volts. To calculate the current (I) in amps, we can use the formula Power (P) = Voltage (V) × Current (I), where power is given in watts and voltage is given in volts. Therefore, rearranging the formula to solve for the current gives us I = P / V.
We know that the heating element has a power rating of 3 kW, which is equivalent to 3000 W. Using the formula, the current drawn by the 3 KW heating element at 120 volts is I = 3000 W / 120 V = 25 amps.
It is important to note that a circuit with a capacity of 15 amps would be overloaded by a 3 KW element at 120 volts, as it would require 25 amps. Safety regulations advise continuous use at only 80% of the breaker current capacity to prevent tripping the circuit breaker or blowing a fuse.