If you have a 1000W lamp and a 5kW lamp, which draws more current on the same supply?

Prepare for the GFA Lighting and Electric Test with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question enriched with hints and explanations. Ensure success on your exam!

Multiple Choice

If you have a 1000W lamp and a 5kW lamp, which draws more current on the same supply?

Explanation:
On a common supply voltage, current drawn by a load scales with its power. The relationship is I = P / V, so when voltage is fixed, increasing power increases current proportionally. The 5 kW lamp needs five times the power of the 1 kW lamp, so it draws five times as much current from the same supply. For example, at 120 V, the 1 kW lamp uses about 8.3 A, while the 5 kW lamp uses about 41.7 A. This is why the higher-wattage lamp draws more current. If you're planning the circuit, make sure the wiring and breaker can handle that higher current.

On a common supply voltage, current drawn by a load scales with its power. The relationship is I = P / V, so when voltage is fixed, increasing power increases current proportionally. The 5 kW lamp needs five times the power of the 1 kW lamp, so it draws five times as much current from the same supply. For example, at 120 V, the 1 kW lamp uses about 8.3 A, while the 5 kW lamp uses about 41.7 A. This is why the higher-wattage lamp draws more current. If you're planning the circuit, make sure the wiring and breaker can handle that higher current.

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