When connected to a 120- \(V\) source, an electric heater is rated at \(1200 W\) and a toaster at \(600 W\). If both appliances are operating in parallel on a \(120-V\) circuit, what total current is delivered by an external source?
A. \(12 A\) B. \(24 A\) C. \(15 A\) D. \(8 A\)
Correct Answer: C
Explanation
\begin{aligned} P_{\text {heater }} &=\frac{V^{2}}{R}, R=\frac{V^{2}}{P_{\text {heater }}} \\ R &=\frac{120 \times 120}{1200}=12 \Omega \end{aligned} also, for the toaster $$ R_{\text {loaster }}=\frac{120 \times 120}{600}=24 \Omega $$ If both appliances are operated in parallel, then $$ \begin{aligned} &R_{c q}=\frac{R_{1} R_{2}}{R_{1}+R_{2}} \\ &R_{e q}=\frac{12 \times 24}{12+24} \\ &R_{c q}=8 \Omega \end{aligned} $$ and finally Total current \(=\frac{V}{R}\) $$ i=\frac{240}{8}=15 A $$