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Domestic Electric Circuit

A domestic electric circuit comprises key components such as the mains supply, electric meter, live, neutral, and earth wires, along with safety devices like fuses and circuit breakers. The circuit ensures safe power distribution throughout the house and includes switches and sockets for controlling appliances. Earthing is a crucial safety feature that prevents electric shocks by directing excess current to the ground.

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4 views

Domestic Electric Circuit

A domestic electric circuit comprises key components such as the mains supply, electric meter, live, neutral, and earth wires, along with safety devices like fuses and circuit breakers. The circuit ensures safe power distribution throughout the house and includes switches and sockets for controlling appliances. Earthing is a crucial safety feature that prevents electric shocks by directing excess current to the ground.

Uploaded by

dokir28690
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Domestic Electric Circuit

Components of a Domestic Electric Circuit

A domestic electric circuit consists of several key components that


work together to provide electrical power safely to different parts of
the house:

• Mains Supply: Electricity enters the house from the mains


supply, which is typically delivered by power stations. The
mains supply provides alternating current (AC) at a voltage of
220-240 V in India.

• Electric Meter: The amount of electrical energy consumed in


the house is measured by an electric meter. It records the
power consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh), which is used for
calculating the electricity bill.

Main Wires

There are three main wires used in domestic circuits:

1. Live Wire (Phase Wire): This wire is usually insulated with a


red covering and carries the current from the power source to
the appliances.

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Domestic Electric Circuit
2. Neutral Wire: The neutral wire, which is usually insulated with
a black covering, completes the circuit by carrying current
back from the appliance to the power source.
3. Earth Wire: The earth wire, insulated with green covering, is a
safety feature. It is connected to the body of metallic
appliances to protect users from electric shocks in case of a
fault.

Distribution Box

• Fuse: A fuse is a safety device that protects the circuit from


overloading or short circuits. If excessive current flows
through the circuit, the fuse wire melts, breaking the circuit
and preventing damage to electrical appliances.
• Circuit Breaker: A circuit breaker is a modern alternative to
fuses. It automatically switches off the electric supply when
there is an overload or short circuit.

Switches

• Main Switch: The main switch controls the entire electrical


supply to the house. It can disconnect all power in case of an
emergency.
• Individual Switches: Appliances and lights are controlled
using individual switches, which allow users to turn devices on
or off as needed.

Electrical Sockets

• Two-Pin and Three-Pin Sockets: Sockets allow devices to be


plugged into the electrical supply. A two-pin socket has only
live and neutral connections, while a three-pin socket includes
an earthing connection to protect against electric shocks.

Electric Fuse and Circuit Breakers

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Domestic Electric Circuit

Electric Fuse

An electric fuse is a simple safety device used in electrical circuits


to protect against excessive current flow. A fuse consists of a thin
wire with a low melting point. When too much current flows through
the circuit, the wire heats up and melts, breaking the circuit and
preventing damage to appliances or fire hazards.

• Function of a Fuse: The fuse wire melts when the current


exceeds a safe limit, preventing overheating and protecting
the circuit.
• Materials: Fuse wires are usually made of materials with low
melting points, such as tin or lead.

Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB)

A miniature circuit breaker (MCB) is an automatic device used to


protect the electrical circuit from overload or short circuits. Unlike
fuses, which need to be replaced after they blow, MCBs can be
reset after tripping.

• Function of MCB: When an MCB detects excess current, it


automatically switches off the power, cutting off the circuit.

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Domestic Electric Circuit
Once the problem is fixed, the switch can be manually reset to
restore power.

Earthing in Domestic Circuits


Earthing is a safety measure in domestic electrical circuits. The
earth wire (green wire) provides a low-resistance path for excess
current to flow into the ground, preventing electric shocks. This is
particularly important for appliances with metallic bodies, such as
refrigerators, air conditioners, and washing machines.

How Earthing Works:

• If there is a fault in an appliance and the live wire touches the


metal body, the current flows through the earth wire to the
ground. This prevents the user from receiving an electric
shock.
• In case of high leakage currents, the earth wire directs the
current safely into the ground.

Power Consumption in Domestic Circuits


The amount of electricity consumed by electrical appliances is
measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This unit is also known as a unit
of electricity and is used by power companies to calculate the
electricity bill.

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