Chapter 10, Problem 16TE

Which will do less damage-plugging a 110-V appliance into a 220-V circuit or plugging a 220-V appliance into a 110-V circuit? Explain.

Solution

To determine:Whether plugging 110-V into 220-V appliance or plugging 220-V into 110-V appliance do less damage.

Answer:

There will be less damage when plugging a 220 V appliance into a 110 V circuit.

Explanation:

When a low voltage 110 V electrical device is connected into a high voltage 220 V circuit, the current flow inside the device will be higher than its rated capacity. The higher current will cause more damage due to overheating of the device.

Similarly, the current flow inside the appliance will be lesser than its rated capacity if the voltage of appliance 220 V is higher than the voltage of circuit 110 V . Due to lower current, there will not be overheating of the appliance and hence less damage will occur.

Conclusion:

Therefore, there will be less damage when plugging a 220 V appliance into a 110 V circuit.