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Where resistors are wired in series (one after another) it is relatively simple to find out what single resistor could be fitted to replace them.
This simulator has 4 sliders which allows you to alter the resistance of 3 resistors to values varying from 1 to 100Ω and voltage from between 0 to 240V.
Sliders can be dragged to approx positions and then fine tuned by using left and right arrows.
On changing these sliders the total resistance RT, the current flowing in the circuit and voltage drops across the 3 resistors adjust automatically. The effect of these changes can be hidden or displayed by ticking/unticking various checkboxes.
In a previous module you looked at resistors in series (one after another) and saw how an equivalent resistance could be calculated by taking the total of those resistors. From this equivalent resistance Ohms Law could be used to find the current that would flow in that circuit, and then using this current Ohms Law could be used to find the voltdrop across these resistors.
This exercise will extend this to look at volt drop in circuits and how the choice of a circuits cable size and length affect the volt drop, how well the intended load will work and power may be lost in the cable supplying the load.
The interactive tool represents a radial like circuit with a single point of load such as a shower, cooker or heater with 3 resistances wired in series. These 3 resistances represent
It starts with R1 and R3 having a resistance of 1Ω each and R2 (the load) having a resistance of 100Ω which results in 2.25A being drawn and approx 500W being consumed by the load R2 when connected to a supply of 230V.
Imagine that R2 represents a lighting load. At this level the voltdrop in the circuit is 4.5V (2.25 in the phase and neutral conductors) which is within the allowable limits for a lighting circuit volt drop.
The following steps should link series resistors and voltage drop together giving a greater understanding of both. Your findings and explanations should be recorded in the task sheet downloadable from the bottom of this page then be submitted as an attachment to me at Robert.Eyre@Hull-College.ac.uk