Ammeter - Measures the current flowing through a particular point in a circuit.

Connected in series with the component whose

current is being measured. Ammeters should have minimal resistance so when placed in series in the circuit, it does not reduce
the current flowing. Amperes are the measure of how much electricity is actually moving through a wire. So to properly
measure you must connect in series so that the actual current flows through the meter so it can be measured
Voltage - Measures the potential difference (voltage) between 2 points in a circuit. Connected parallel to the component whose
voltage is being measured. Voltmeters should have a very large resistance so that little current is diverted to the voltmeter.
When you connect a voltmeter in series all you are doing is measuring the difference in potential across a strand of wire which
will be zero (or very near)
Loudspeakers - A simple loudspeaker consists of a coil of wire wound between the poles of permanent magnet that form the
core. When electrical signals (AC) from the amplifier are fed to the coil, the coil produces its own magnetic field that in turn
interacts with the magnetic field produced by the permanent magnetic core. This causes the coil to experience a force. Since AC
signals vary in direction very rapidly, the resultant force also rapidly changes direction in an attempt to move the coil back and
forth very rapidly. However, because the coil is tightly wound on the magnetic pole piece, it cannot move freely and will vibrate
instead. The vibration of the coil-magnet unit causes the paper diaphragm to vibrate to vibrate with it. The vibration of the
paper diaphragm causes air to vibrate, which in turn produces sound waves
Different circuits in a house - In a household, lighting, heating and powerpoints have separate circuits connected in parallel with
each other. The circuits are connected in parallel because - Different circuits draw different amounts of current from the main
power supply and this is only possible in a parallel circuit design (since the current remains the same in a series circuit). It allows
for difference fuse or circuit breaker capacities depending on how much current is drawn by each circuit. If one of the
loads/resistors malfunctions, the other circuits will be unaffected and will continue to function. It allows for circuits to be
switched on and off separately and hence certain circuits can be used during peak hours and other circuits during off-peak hours
Electric shock - Electrocution is caused by an electric current passing through the body. This current interacts with the nervous
system, often with violent consequences. Electrocution in the home often involves contact with something that is ‘live’;
something in contact with an active wire
- 0 – 1 mA – Not perceptible
- 1 – 15 mA – Pain at the points of entry and exit of the current. Involuntary contradiction of muscles associated with that
path of the current
- 15 – 100mA – Inability to release grip. Muscular contradictions of the chest and diaphragm. Contradictions may prevent
breathing into and, if prolonged, may lead to death
- 100 – 200mA – Filbration (a condition where the heart stops beating regularly and instead undergoes rapid oscillations)
leading to death
- 200+ – Reversible stopping of the heart. Loss of consciousness
Fuse – A safety device consisting of a wire with a low melting point and high resistance which is connected in series with a load
in the circuit. It prevent the current from overloading in a circuit. When the current flowing through the current exceeds the
maximum allowable value, the fuse will melt due to the large amount of heat generated. Once melted, the circuit is effectively
disconnected. To allow the circuit to operate again, the fuse needs to be replaced with one that is suitable for the circuit
Circuit Breakers – Serves the same purpose as a fuse, but allows the circuit to be restored with a switch rather than having to
replace is. Consist of an electromagnet connected to an iron piece which completes the circuit. When maximum current is
exceeded, the magnetic field produced by the electromagnet will intensify, attracting the iron piece and breaking the circuit.
The spring in a circuit breaker holds the iron piece in place until the electromagnet can exert a stronger attractive force on the
iron piece to break the circuit. The iron piece returns to its original position once the circuit has been broken, however, the
circuit is still open and has to be closed manually via a switch
Earthing Appliances – Earthing means to connect an earth wire to an appliance. When an active wire comes in contact with the
metal casing of an appliance, anyone who comes in contact with the casing will receive an electric shock. The earth wire
provides an alternate pathway for current to flow when the active wire does come into contact with the casing. This current will
trigger a fuse or circuit breaker and disconnect the active wire from the appliance, preventing any electric shocks
Insulation – Insulation is where electrical wiring is covered with a material such as plastic; we commonly use polyvinyl chloride
(PVC). Its purpose is to minimize the possibility of a person coming into contact with a live wire which would result in an electric
shock or electrocution. It also allows for easy recognition of different types of wires by using different colours. (Red – active,
blue – neutral, green/brown – earth)
Residual Current Devices – A residual current device (RCD), or safety switch, protects you from the most frequent cause of
electrocution – a shock from the electricity passing through the body to the earth. It can also provide some protection against
electrical fires. RCDs are electrical safety devices designed to immediately switch off the supply of electricity when electricity
leaking to earth is detected at harmful levels. They offer high levels or personal protection from electric shock.