Question

An 1800-W toaster, a 1400-W electric frying pan, and a 55-W lamp are plugged into the same outlet in a 15-A, 120-V circuit. (The three devices are in parallel when plugged into the same socket.)

a. Will this combination blow the 15-A fuse?
b. What current is drawn by each device?

Answer 1

Being in parallel each device will have an equal voltage drop of 120 V

A. Yes the combination will blow the fuse. See part B for the total current.

B. Toaster = 1800W / 120V = 15A

Frying Pan = 1400W / 120V = 11.67A

Lamp = 55W / 120V = 0.458A

Total amps = 15 + 11.67 + 0.458 = 27.128 Amps

27.128A is greater than 15A so the fuse will blow.