An electric iron is fitted with a 5 A fuse in the live wire and is also provided with…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Magnetic Effects of Electric Current · Magnetic Effects of Electric Current
Problem
An electric iron is fitted with a 5 A fuse in the live wire and is also provided with an earth connection. During use, the live conductor inside the iron accidentally comes in contact with the metallic sole plate of the iron.
(i) Trace the path taken by the fault current from the point of contact to the source, and explain why the fuse in the live wire blows almost immediately.
(ii) Explain why no significant current flows through the user’s body in this case, even though the person is holding the handle of the iron.
(iii) Describe what would happen differently if the earth connection of the iron were absent when the same fault occurs.