DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL

INDIRA NAGAR , LUCKNOW

CLASS — X PHYSICS
HANDOUT (TOPIC — HOUSE HOLD CIRCUITING)
Prepared by : Ms. Toshee Gupta

Direct Current (DC) : A current which has a constant magnitude and same direction is
called direct current.
Alternating Current (AC) : A current which changes in magnitude and direction at
regular intervals is called an alternating current.

Frequency : Frequency of AC is the number of cycles per second made by the current.
In India AC changes directions after every 0.01 second i.e. frequency of AC
produced in India is 50 Hz and the supply is at 220 V.
For a complete cycle the average value of ac voltage and current is zero so we use root
mean square ( RMS ) value of a c voltage and current. Which is the value of
d c current which will produce the same heating effect as of ac in the same
time interval.
The RMS voltage is 220 V and the peak value of such a supply would be
220 x √2 ≈ 310 V.

Advantages and disadvantages of AC over DC :

Advantages:
➢ It can be transmitted over long distances without much loss of energy.
➢ It can be produced easily and cheaply than DC.
➢ AC voltage can be transformed to any desired value with the help of a transformer.
➢ AC generator has less loss of energy and wear and tear than a DC generator.
➢ In AC circuits, current can be controlled by a choke coil without much loss of
energy.
Disadvantages:
➢ AC gives a huge and sudden shock.
➢ Commercial generators do not produce pure AC.
➢ In certain applications like electroplating, battery charging etc. only DC is required
.

DOMESTIC ELECTRIC CIRCUITS

Electricity is generated at power station. In our homes, we receive the supply through
overhead poles or underground cables.

MAIN BOARD : It is provided outside the building. It contains the meter and the main
switch.
From the street electric pole, a thick rubber insulated cord reaches the main board. It
contains the live line wire L ( red colour ) and neutral line wire N ( black or brown colour ) .
Live wire has a potential of 220 V whereas the neutral wire has zero potential. In the main
switch, a fuse F is provided in the live wire. From outside the main switch, the wires
become free to be used inside the building as required.
A third wire is a thick bare wire of copper, called earth wire E ( green colour ) . It is
connected to an earth connection which consists of a thick copper plate P buried deep
inside the moist earth.
POINTS TO REMEMBER :
➢ Inside the house, connections to different devices are made in parallel .
➢ Each device has independent switch and fuse (if necessary).
➢ Switches and fuse are always connected to the live wire.
➢ Connections to low power devices like bulb, fan etc. are made with lines L and N only.
➢ For devices of more power and with whom the body remains in contact like electric
iron etc. we use connections through a 3 – pin plug which uses a three wire cord
corresponding to L, N and E wires.
➢ A three pin plug has three pins forming a triangle. The upper pin is thicker than the
lower two pins and it gets connected to the earth wire.
➢ On the appliance side the earth wire is connected to the body of the appliance.

➢ In our houses we have two types of voltage lines:

(i) Lightning circuit: In this the maximum current is 5 A. It is used for bulbs and fans
etc.
(ii) Power circuit: In this the maximum current is 15A. It is used for heavy appliances
like geysers, air conditioners etc.

EARTHING : Connecting the metallic body of a high powered electrical appliance to the
earth wire of domestic circuit is called earthing.

ADVANTAGE OF EARTHING: Due to wear and tear with long use, the live wire inside the
appliance may become uncovered and may touch the body of the appliance. This contact
raises the potential of the body to the potential of the live wire. If we operate that appliance
we may get the severe shock. If the appliance is earthed, its body potential remains zero
due to contact with the earth and no electric shock is felt when such an appliance is
operated.

ELECTRIC FUSE : It is a small metallic wire of pure tin or lead tin alloy. Its material has a
low melting point and high resistivity. It is put in series with the appliances.
Whenever there is a sudden increase in current due to overloading or short circuiting, the
fuse wire becomes hot and melts due to heating effect of current and break the circuit.
Thus the appliance is saved from the damage to be caused by the large current.

ELECTRICITY – HAZARDS:

➢ ELECTRIC SHOCK
 ➢ SHORT CIRCUITING :
Due to long use, wear and tear or defective insulating material, the live wire and the
neutral wires come in direct contact. Due to zero resistance, a large current is
produced which may cause damages and fire. This situation is called short circuiting.
It can be avoided by using good quality wires coated with PVC and also by using a
proper fuse.

➢ OVER LOADING :
When many high powered appliances are switched on simultaneously, total current
through main wire may exceed the tolerance limit causing damage and fire. This
situation is called over loading. It can be avoided by avoiding the simultaneous use of
many high powered appliances and also by dividing the circuit in different sections,
each section having its own fuse.

SAFETY MEASURES :
➢ Use proper earthing arrangement.
➢ Do not operate large number of high powered appliances simultaneously.
➢ Use good quality wires coated with PVC.
➢ Replace old worn out and damaged wires with new set.
➢ Put the main switch off while checking or removing any fault in the circuit.
➢ Wear rubber shoes and gloves while dealing with replacement of any appliance.
➢ Use fuses of proper specification and rating.
➢ Do not replace a fuse by any metallic wire or a connecting wire.
➢ The position of main switch must be known and easily approachable. Put it off during
emergency.