Electricity is now an essential part of our daily life. It is only and only because of electricity that we are able to use home appliances like kitchen appliances, lights, fans, air conditioning, televisions, telephones, and computers etc that make our life easier and more comfortable.
Electricity in Home
Electricity is basically flow of charge, positive charge (Protons) and negative charge (electrons). This charge is utilized by power tools, devices, gadgets and appliances to operate by means of circuit. Electricity is supplied to our home through a power line or through underground conduit.
Most of these power supply lines have three wires: 2 hot wires and 1 neutral wire. 1 hot wire and 1 neutral wire run throughout the house through electrical wiring. These wires supply 120-volt t power to most lights and appliances. Large appliances such as the air conditioner and microwave oven or other higher wattage appliances need 220-volt outlet. This is achieved by using both hot wires with the neutral wire.
How much electricity is consumed by a household is monitored through home electric meters. An electric meter is installed where the electricity enters the house. Next to the electric meter is the main panel and circuit breakers. The main electric panel is the point from where electricity is distribution through wiring to run all home appliances. Apart from the main panel, there are subpanels in other locations of the house. These subpanels are connected to the main panel and provide power to those parts of the house that have a number of different circuits or large appliances. They also are supported by a secondary set of circuit breakers.
Understanding Home Electrical Wiring System
Understanding basics of home electrical and wiring is quite easy. All home appliances, lights and receptacles are connected to the primary standard-voltage system or power line and distributed across the home through wiring. In any residential power supply, 3 wires enter most homes from the power pole: two “hot” wires and a third “neutral” wire. Each hot wire provides 120-volt current and when both hot wires are used with the neutral wire, it supplies 220 volt. Normal lights, receptacles, and home and kitchen appliances use 120V while appliances such as air conditioner and electric ovens need 220V. Many homes also have transformers that convert standard power to lower to about 6 to 12 Volts for systems such as the doorbell, security systems etc.
Conclusion
Before working on any home electrical system or appliance, always disconnect it from the power source.
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