Sample Problems

1. A cloud of 2.5 x 10​19​ electrons move past a given point every 2 seconds. How much is the
intensity of the electron flow?

Note: ampere = coulombs per second

Q
I= t
= 4C
2s
= ​2 A

2. The current in an electric lamp is 5 amperes. What quantity of electricity flows towards the
filament in 6 minutes?

Given: I = 5 A ; t = 6 minutes ; From the formula I = Q/t

3. The substation bus bar is made up of 2 inches round copper bars 20 ft. long. What is the
resistance of each bar if resistivity is 1.724 x 10​ -6​ ohm-cm?

L
Given: d = 2 inches ; L = 20 feet ; ρ = 1,724 x 10 -6​ ​ohm-cm ; From the formula R = ​ρ A
Solution:

Since given the diameter of the round copper bars. Find the value of Area
2.54 cm
π (2 inch x i inch )²
A= πd2
4
= 4 = ​20.268 cm​2
Convert ft into cm

L = 20 ft ​x 121inch
ft
x 2.54 cm
1 inch
= ​609.6 cm
L
R = ​ρ A = ​1.724 x 10​-6 ​ohm cm x 609.6 cm
20.268 cm²
= ​5.185 x 10 -5​​ ohm
4. The resistance of a winding wire made up of copper is 25 ohm at 30˚C. What is its resistance
when it operates at a temperature of 75˚C? Assume temperature coefficient at 20˚C = 0.004.

Given: T​1​ =
​ 20˚C ; α​1​= 0.004 ; T​2​ = 30˚C ; R​2​ = 25 Ω ; T​3​ = 75˚C

Find: R​3​?

Solution: Find the Resistance at 20˚C

25 Ω
R​1​ = R2
[1+ α1(T 2−T 1)
= [1+0.004(30−20˚C)
= ​24.04 ohm

Resistance at 75˚C

R​3​ = R​1​ [1 +​ ​α1(T​3​ – T​1​)

R​3​ = 24.04 Ω[1 + 0.004(75 - 20˚C)] = ​29.33 ohm

5. It is found that the resistance of a coil of wire increases from 50 ohm at 15˚C to 58 ohm at
55˚C. Calculate the temperature coefficient of the wire material at 0˚C.

Given: R​1​ = 50 Ω ; T​1​ = 15˚C ; R​2​ = 58 Ω ; T​2​ = 55˚C

Find: αo

Solution:

(58 Ω−50 Ω)
αo ​= (R2−R1)
(R1T 2−R2T 1)
= [(50 Ω X 55˚C)−(58 Ω X 15˚C)] = ​4.25 x 10 -​​ 3/˚C

αo = ​0.00425/˚C

6. An ordinary bulb takes 60 Watts on a 240 Volts DC supply. Find the current passing through
the bulb.

Given: P = 60 W ; V = 240 Volts Note: some books are using symbol E for the voltage. E &
V are the same they represent the voltage.

Solution:

P=IxV

60 W
I= P
V
= 240 V
= ​0.25 A
7. A table fan draws 350 mA from a 230 V AC supply at 0.75 power factor. Find the real power
taken by the fan.

Given: I = 350 mA ; V = 230 V ; cos θ = 0.75 or p.f. = 0.75

Solution:

P = I x V x cos θ or P = I x V x p.f.

P = 350 x 10 -3​​ A x 230 V x 0.75 = ​60.375 Watts

8. A three phase induction motor takes 10 A at 0.85 power factor from a 415 Volts three phase.
Determine the real power taken by the motor.

Given: I​L =
​ 10 A ; cos θ = 0.85 ; V​L​ = 415 Volts

Solution: Note put √3 if the electric motor or generator is three phase

P = √3 V​L ​I​L ​cos θ

P = √3 x 415 Volts x 10 Ampere = ​6109.81 Watts or 6.11 kW

9. A water heater takes 9 A from a 230 V single phase AC supply at unity power factor. If it is
switched on for 5 hours in a day, calculate the energy consumption over a day.

Given: I = 9A, V = 230 V ; cos θ = 1 ; t = 5 hour Note: unity power factor = 1

Solution:

P = I x V x cos θ = 9 A x 230 V x 1 = ​2070 Watts = 2.07 kW

Energy consumed

En = P x t = 2.07 kW x 5 hr = ​10.35 kWh

10. An electric iron is rated for 1000 Watts and is to be operated from a 220 V supply. Find the
value of the resistance and the current taken by the iron.

Given: P = 1000 W ; V = 220 V ; Find the value of the Resistance and the Current

Solution:

220 V ²
R= V²
P
= 1000 W
= ​48.4 Ω
 220 V
I= V
R
= 48.4 Ω
= ​4.54 A
Another solution

From the formula V = I x R

220 V
R= V
I
= 4.54 A
= ​48.4 Ω

I= √ P
R =
√ 1000 W
48.4 Ω
= ​4.54 A