Chapter 13 Electrical Systems

updated in Jan 2023

Chapter Overview

13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

13.2 *How do electrical components affect the

output of an electrical system? (optional for NA)

13.3 What are some benefits and risks associating

with the applications of electrical systems?

13.4 How do we reduce the consumption of

electrical energy?
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Terms related to electricity

Term Meaning
Electric current The rate of flow of electric charges

Electric circuit The path which the electric current takes

Electrical Parts of a circuit

components
Example:
- connecting wires
- bulb, switch
- energy source (such as an electric cell)

Circuit board A base or platform on which the various electrical

components are joined to make a circuit
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Sources of electricity
• 2 main sources:
1. Mains electricity
2. Electric cells
- 2 or more cells make up a ‘battery’

Mains electricity Electric cells

Supply a lot of electrical energy Supply only a small amount of

energy
Gives us an electric shock Safe to touch
Appliances need to be plugged Appliances are usually portable
into a mains socket
Generated in power stations Generated from chemicals in
the cells
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

A simple electric circuit

13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Closed and open circuits

•Closed circuit: a complete path without any gaps for the

flow of electric current

•Open circuit: an incomplete path with gap(s) in it stopping

the flow of electric current

•Examples:

•Can you identify the gap in each of the circuit above?

13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Opening and closing a circuit

•By using switches

Examples:
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Conditions for the flow of an electric current

1. A source of electrical energy
2. A closed circuit
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Analysing

Q1. In which circuit does the bulb light up?

Circuit D
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Q2. How would you change the other circuits to

get the bulbs to light up?
A: Place a connecting wire on each side of the cell

B: Place a connecting wire on each side of the light bulb.

C: Place a connecting wire from the lamp and the cell on

each side of both.
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Circuit Diagram
•An easy way to represent the electrical components in a
circuit
•Symbols are used to represent the various components
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?
Symbols of electrical components
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

ccComponents Symbols

ammeter A

voltmeter
V

fixed resistor

variable resistor
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Circuit 2

Here are two circuit diagrams with 2 light bulbs.

Which circuit, A or B, is the same as Circuit 2? Explain.

13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?
Circuit 2

Circuit diagram A is the same as circuit 2. (The extra line

between the two cells is unnecessary but not wrong).

Circuit B is different from circuit 2 as one light bulb is

situated between the two cells.
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Conductors and insulators

Conductor Insulator
A material that allows electricity to A material that does not allow
pass through it electricity to pass through it
Metals Non-metals
Examples: copper, iron, aluminium Examples: plastic, rubber, glass,
wood

Note: Our body is a conductor. Hence, we

must never touch electricity as it will flow
through our body and may kill us.
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Arrangement of circuits
Series circuit Parallel circuit

Each single component is joined Divides into two or more branches

one after the other to form a single and has electrical components in
path each branch

Current flowing through each of the Current flowing through the

components is the same components in the different
branches may not be the same
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

What is an electric current?

•For electricity to flow in a circuit, electrons in the copper
atoms of the wires must move from one atom to the next.

•This flow of electron in one direction in a circuit is called

an electric current.
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Path of electron flow

•Energy is needed for the electron to move.

•Source of energy: electric cell in the circuit
•Electric cell has:
-a positive terminal, and
-a negative terminal

•Electrons flow out of the negative terminal of

the electric cell, round the circuit and back to
the positive terminal of the cell.
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Measuring the size of an electric current

•By using an ammeter

•SI unit: ampere (A)

•Name after French scientist: Andre-Marie Ampere

•Other units: milliamperes (mA)

1 A = 1000 mA
1 mA = 1/1000 A (or 0.001 A)
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Connecting an ammeter to a circuit

•Connected in series in a circuit
•Ammeter has:
-A positive terminal
-A negative terminal
•Positive terminal of the ammeter is connected to the
positive terminal of the cell
•Negative terminal of the ammeter is connected to
the negative terminal of the cell
Set up Circuits, Explore and Observe.
What happens when bulbs are connected in series /
parallel to an electrical source?

[Link]
est/circuit-construction-kit-dc_en.html
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

What is voltage?

•Also called the potential difference

•An electric cell provides electrical potential energy, thus

pushing the electrons around the circuit.

•An electron can have a large amount of potential energy

at one point in the circuit and a low amount of potential
energy at another point in the circuit.

•The difference in potential energy between the two points

is the voltage or potential difference.
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Why is there a potential difference?

•In a circuit, electrical components (eg. light bulbs) change
some of the electrical energy into other forms of energy.

•The electrons have less potential energy after passing

through the component.

•Hence, there is a difference in potential energy or a

potential difference.
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Measuring voltage

•By using a voltmeter

•SI unit: volt (V)

13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Connecting a voltmeter to a circuit

•Connected in parallel to the component whose voltage is to
be measured.
•Voltmeter has:
-A positive terminal
-A negative terminal
•Positive terminal of the voltmeter is connected to the
positive terminal of the cell
•Negative terminal is connected to the negative terminal of
the cell

Act 13.1.1 (pg 4-6)

13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Voltages of electrical sources

•Different electric sources have different voltages.

•Example:
-A 9 V electric cell supplies 6 times the energy of a
1.5 V electric cell
-Mains voltage is much greater.
-In Singapore, mains voltage is 230 V.
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Connecting electrical cells to electrical appliances

•Electric cells are connected in series with the positive

terminal of one cell touching the negative terminal of the
next cell

•Total voltage across all the electric cells = sum of the

voltages of the individual cells
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

‘Resistance’ to the flow of electrons

• Electrical components put up a force against the flow
of electrons.
• The components are said to have resistance.
• SI unit: ohm (Ω)
• The greater the resistance in a circuit, the lower the
current.

Resistance Current
 Electrical
conductors and
insulators have
different levels of
resistance
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Resistance Wire

• A conductor with a large resistance

• Example: Nichrome wire

• Used in circuits to decrease the current

• On the other hand, copper has a very low resistance.

• For this reason, it is often used as connecting wires in
a circuit.
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Resistors

• Electrical components that are used in the circuit to

control the size of the current

• Why do we need resistors?

-Electrical appliances will operate only if the correct
size of current flows in their circuit.

• There are 2 types of resistors:

-fixed resistors
-variable resistors
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Fixed Resistor
symbol of a
fixed resistor
• Has one fixed resistance
• Often called simply as a resistor
• Resistance can range from a fraction of an ohm to
thousands of ohm
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Variable Resistor
symbol of a
variable resistor
• Has resistance that can be changed
• Also known as a rheostat

The resistance is varied by moving the sliding

contact along the resistance wire.
13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

Arrangement of resistors in electric circuits

• The electric circuits in electrical appliances such as
radios, televisions and computers are very complex.

• Hundreds or even thousands of resistors can be

found in a complex circuit, such as the computer
circuit board.
Chapter Overview

13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

13.2 How do electrical components affect the

output of an electrical system?
(optional for NA for parts marked *)

13.3 What are some benefits and risks associating

with the applications of electrical systems?

13.4 How do we reduce the consumption of

electrical energy?
13.2 How do electrical components affect the output
of an electrical system ?
Resistance in a circuit can be varied by connecting resistors
in series or in parallel.

Resistors in series
When resistors are connected in
series, the current passing through
each resistor is the same.

Resistors in parallel
When resistors are connected in
parallel, the potential difference
across each resistor is the same.
What happens when a resistor is added in series with
another resistor in a circuit?

▪ Overall resistance increases.

▪ Current decreases.
▪ Brightness of light bulb decreases.
What happens when a resistor is added in parallel to
another resistor in a circuit?

▪ Overall resistance decreases.

▪ Current increases.
▪ Brightness of light bulb increases.
13.2 How do electrical components affect the output
of an electrical system ?

What happens when a resistor is added into a circuit?

Let’s explore using the following interactive simulation:

[Link]
test/circuit-construction-kit-dc_en.html
13.2 How do electrical components affect the output
of an electrical system ?
How does the arrangement of resistors in a
circuit affect the overall resistance?
For resistors connected …
In Series In Parallel

• Same current flow through each • Current divides among the

resistor branches
• As more resistors are added, • As more resistors are added, the
the overall resistance increases, overall resistance decreases,
thus current in the circuit thus current in the circuit
decreases increases
• Equivalent to having a single • Equivalent to having a single
resistor with a resistance of resistor with a resistance of lower
larger value in the circuit value in the circuit
13.2 How do electrical components affect the output
of an electrical system?
system ?
Resistors in Series
▪ since resistors are in series, current I passing through
each resistor is the same
effective resistance

R R is R
I I I I
1 2 equivalent
to

effective resistance R
can be determined by: R = R1 + R2
13.2 How do electrical components affect the output
of an electrical system ?
Resistors in Parallel
▪ since resistors are in parallel, current I is split into two
branches
Note: I = I1 + I2
I R
1 1

I I

I R effective resistance
2 R
2 is I I
equivalent
to

effective resistance R
can be determined by: 1/R = 1/R1 + 1/R2
Find the effective resistance of the resistors connected
in the following arrangements.

Ans: (a) 1.6 Ω (b) 8 Ω (c) 4 Ω

Act 13.2.1 & Act 13.2.2 (optional for NA)

WS 13.1
13.2 How do electrical components affect the output
of an electrical system ?
Resistance
The resistance, R, of a resistor
is the ratio of the potential
difference, V, across the I
R

resistor to the current, I,

flowing through it.
V
▪ has a SI unit of ohm (Ω)

V V
R=
I
R I
13.2 How do electrical components affect the output
of an electrical system ?

Example 1
A lamp draws a current of 0.25 A when it is
connected to a 240 V source. What is the
resistance of the lamp?

Solution:
13.2 How do electrical components affect the output
of an electrical system ?

Example 2
Calculate the current flowing through a 5 Ω
resistor when a potential difference of 2 V is
applied across it.

Solution:
13.2 How do electrical components affect the output
of an electrical system ?
Series circuits
▪ The electromotive force (e.m.f) of a battery ε, is
equal to the total potential difference across all the
resistors battery
ε

I
R R ε = V1 + V 2
1 2

V1 V2
13.2 How do electrical components affect the output
of an electrical system ?
Current in a series circuit
▪ has only one path in which the charge can flow
▪ current is the same through every component in the
circuit
A
1
A
4

A
2
A
3
13.2 How do electrical components affect the output
of an electrical system ?
Current in a series circuit
▪ when switch is closed, same current flows through the
lamps, both lamps light up
▪ if there is a break anywhere in the circuit, current
ceases to flow
13.2 How do electrical components affect the output
of an electrical system ?
potential difference in a series circuit
V
1

V V V
2 3 4

L1 L2 L3

sum of p.d. of individual p.d. across the whole

=
components in a series circuit circuit
13.2 How do electrical components affect the output
of an electrical system ?
Example 3
Two resistors with resistance 3Ω and 5Ω are connected in
series to a 12 V dry cell.

(a) What is the current that flows through the circuit?

(b) What is the p.d across each resistor?

Solution:
(a) I = V / R = 12 / (3 + 5) = 12 / 8 = 1.5 A

(b) p.d. across 3 Ω resistor, V = IR = 1.5 x 3 = 4.5 V

p.d. across 5 Ω resistor, V = IR = 1.5 x 5 = 7.5 V
What do you notice about the sum of the p.d. of
individual resistors in this series circuit?
13.2 How do electrical components affect the output
of an electrical system ?
Current in a parallel circuit
▪ has more than one path in which the charge can flow

A B
13.2 How do electrical components affect the output
of an electrical system ?
Current in a parallel circuit

I1 I5
L2
I2
A A A
2
1 L3 5
I3
A
3
L4
I4
A
4

sum of currents in current from

separate branches
= the source I1 = I2 + I3 + I4 = I5
13.2 How do electrical components affect the output
of an electrical system ?
Potential difference in a parallel circuit
V
1

▪ when switch is closed,

both lamps light up
V
▪ each component joined
2
in parallel has the same
p.d. across it
V
3
13.2 How do electrical components affect the output
of an electrical system ?
Example 4
Two resistors of resistances 3Ω and 12Ω are connected
in parallel to a 24V dry cell.
(a) What is the current that flows through the dry cell?
(b) What is the current flowing through each resistor?

Solution:
(a) 1/R = 1/3 + 1/12 = 4/12 + 1/12 = 5/12
R = 12/5 = 2.4Ω
Current in dry cell = V / R = 24/2.4 = 10A

(b) Current through 3 Ω resistor, I= V/R = 24/3 = 8 A

Current through 12 Ω resistor , I= V/R = 24/12 = 2 A
13.2 How do electrical components affect the output
of an electrical system ?
Example 5

In a circuit, resistors R1 and R2 with resistances 2 Ω and

8 Ω respectively are connected in parallel while resistor
R3 with resistance 2.4 Ω is connected in series with
them. A current of 2 A flows through R3.

Calculate
(a) the total resistance in the circuit
(b) the p.d across the resistors R1 and R2
(c) the current flowing through (i) R1 and (ii) R2
13.2 How do electrical components affect the output
of an electrical system ?
Solution:
(a) 1/R = 1/2 + 1/8 = 4/8 + 1/8 = 5/8
R = 8/5 = 1.6 Ω
Total resistance = 1.6 + 2.4 = 4 Ω

(b) p.d. across the battery, V = IR = 2 x 4 = 8 V

p.d. across 2.4 Ω resistor, V = IR = 2 x 2.4 = 4.8 V
p.d. across the resistors R1 and R2 = 8 – 4.8 = 3.2 V

(c) (i) current flowing through R1 = V / R = 3.2 / 2 = 1.6 A

(ii) current flowing through R2 = V /R = 2 – 1.6 = 0.4 A
WS 13.2 (optional for NA)
Summary
Series circuit Parallel circuit
• - component with lower
resistance allows larger
• current to pass through
same through every
current component
• - total current supplied from
battery is shared between
components
• - component with largest
resistance has the highest
voltage (p.d.) across it
voltage
same across each component
(p.d.)
• - total voltage (p.d.) across
the battery is distributed
over each component
• - current does not flow in the
branch that is open
switch is
no current flows
open
• - current flows in other
branches that are closed
Chapter Overview

13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

13.2 *How do electrical components affect the

output of an electrical system? (optional for NA)

13.3 What are some benefits and risks associating

with the applications of electrical systems?

13.4 How do we reduce the consumption of

electrical energy?
13.3 What are some benefits and risks associated
with the applications of electrical systems?

Useful effects of electricity

1. Chemical effect – used in electroplating household objects

and surgical instruments

2. Heating effect – used in household electrical appliances

such as rice cooker and toaster

3. Magnetic effect – used in making electromagnet

Act 13.3.1
Useful effects of electricity

Chemical Effect
When an electric current is passed through a
chemical solution, a chemical change takes
place.

This chemical change can be used to plate

or ‘coat’ objects such as taps, door knobs
and railings with a layer of metal.

This gives the objects a shiny appearance

and makes them more resistant to scratches
and corrosion.

Application: Electroplating household objects / Coating for medical

instruments / Coating for implants used in human body
Useful effects of electricity

Chemical Effect
When an electrical current is passed
through water, a chemical reaction
occurs.

e.g. Decomposition of water into oxygen

gas and hydrogen gas by electrolysis.

Application:

Electrolysis of Water
Useful effects of electricity

Heating Effect
When an electric current is passed through a
heating element, some electrical energy may
be converted to heat energy.

Heating elements consists of a wire made of

high-resistance material such as nichrome,
which is able to withstand high temperatures.

Household electrical appliances that work using

a heating element are the hairdryer, rice
cooker, toaster, and kettle

Application: Household electrical

appliances / Infant incubator /
Useful effects of electricity

Magnetic Effect
When we pass an electric current
through a coil of wire, we can
make it into a temporary magnet
known as an electromagnet.

Magnetic resonance imaging

(MRI) makes use of
electromagnets to generate
images of soft tissues in the body.

Application: Electromagnet /
Magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) /
13.3 What are some benefits and risks associated
with the applications of electrical systems?

Two main dangers with mains circuits

1. Electric shock
2. Electric fires
13.3 What are some benefits and risks associated
with the applications of electrical systems?

Cause of Electric Shock:

(1) Frayed and damaged wires

-Insulation around a wire is damaged or worn out

-A person touching the bare wire will get an electric

shock as current flows through the body.
13.3 What are some benefits and risks associated
with the applications of electrical systems?
Cause of Electric Shock:
(2) Wet conditions

-Water can conduct electricity even

though it is not a good conductor.

-When a person touches a damaged wire

or appliance with his wet hands, a
current may flow through his body,
giving him an electric shock.

-This is less likely to happen if his hands

are dry.
13.3 What are some benefits and risks associated
with the applications of electrical systems?
Cause of Electrical Fires:
(1) Overloading

-May occur when too many electrical

appliances are connected to a mains
socket using an electrical adaptor.

-A large current flows in the house

wiring which may cause the wire to
get hot.

-When the current is too large, the

circuit is said to be overloaded. This
can cause a fire in the house wiring or
the adaptor.
13.3 What are some benefits and risks associated
with the applications of electrical systems?

To prevent overloading…
•In general, only one appliance should be connected to a
mains socket.

•If several appliances are connected to an adaptor, only

one appliance should be used at a time.
13.3 What are some benefits and risks associated
with the applications of electrical systems?

Cause of Electrical Fires:

(2) Short Circuit

•Caused by a broken or bare wire in a circuit touching

another wire in a circuit

•This is a path of low resistance between 2 points in a

circuit.

•This results in a large current flowing through the

circuit, causing the wires to become hot.

•This can cause a fire in the wires or in the appliance

Check Your Understanding - Electrical Hazards
Check Your Understanding - Electrical Hazards
13.3 What are some benefits and risks associated
with the applications of electrical systems?

Safety features in circuits and appliances

1. Fuses
2. Circuit breakers
3. Mains switch
4. Earth wire
13.3 What are some benefits and risks associated
with the applications of electrical systems?
Fuses
• A short length of wire placed in a circuit that melts and breaks the
circuit when the current in a circuit is too large

• Purpose:
• When the current is too large, it melts and breaks the circuit.
• The supply of electricity is cut off.
• As a result, the wires and components in the circuit are
protected from damage.

• Once a fuse breaks, it needs to be replaced

• Found in 3 places:
• Electrical appliances
• Electric plugs
• Fuse box
13.3 What are some benefits and risks associated
with the applications of electrical systems?
Circuit Breakers
• Special switches used as part
of the consumer unit in our
homes

• Purpose:
– Circuit breakers are connected to different parts of a
household electrical system.
– When the current is too large due to a faulty electrical
appliance or household wiring, the circuit breaker trips ie the
switch turns off by itself.
– To complete the circuit again, we just have to turn on the
switch after the faulty appliance or wiring is replaced or
repaired.

• Advantage: Easier than replacing a fuse

13.3 What are some benefits and risks associated
with the applications of electrical systems?

Mains Switch
• Another switch used as part of the consumer unit

• Purpose:
-When there is a fire in the building, a burst water
pipe or if there are lose or broken fires, this is
switched off so as to switch off the mains
electricity supply to the whole building.
13.3 What are some benefits and risks associated
with the applications of electrical systems?

Electric Plug
• Connects an electrical appliance to a mains
socket
• Usually have 3 pins (called three-pin plugs):
connected to
-The live pin The live wire (L)
connected to
-The neutral pin The neutral wire(N)
-The earth pin connected to
The earth wire (E)
The Three-pin Plug
13.3 What are some benefits and risks associated
with the applications of electrical systems?

Connecting to the mains supply

13.3 What are some benefits and risks associated
with the applications of electrical systems?

Current flow through an electric plug

Under normal conditions,

• Current flows through the live wire and the neutral wire

• No current flows through the earth wire

• One end of the earth wire is connected to the metal

casing of the appliance. The other end is connected
from the building wiring to the ground.
13.3 What are some benefits and risks associated
with the applications of electrical systems?

Danger of a ‘Live’ casing

• If a loose or broken wire touches the metal casing of

the kettle, the metal casing is said to be live.

• When a person touches the metal casing, the electric

current flows through that person to the ground.

• The current can kill a person.

13.3 What are some benefits and risks associated
with the applications of electrical systems?
Purpose of the earth wire
Without earth wire With earth wire
•A person may get an •Most of the current flows
electric shock from the through the earth wire to
metal casing of an the ground instead of
appliance that is live. through the person,
therefore preventing an
electric shock
13.3 What are some benefits and risks associated
with the applications of electrical systems?
Safety Precautions when using electricity
13.3 What are some benefits and risks associated
with the applications of electrical systems?

Safety Precautions when using electricity

13.3 What are some benefits and risks associated
with the applications of electrical systems?
Safety Precautions when using electricity
Chapter Overview

13.1 What does an electrical system comprise?

13.2 *How do electrical components affect the

output of an electrical system? (optional for NA)

13.3 What are some benefits and risks associating

with the applications of electrical systems?

13.4 How do we reduce the consumption of

electrical energy?
13.4 How do we reduce the consumption of
electrical energy?
What is power?
• The power of an electrical appliance is the amount of
electrical energy it converts to other forms of energy in
one second.

• SI unit: watt (W)

• Other units: kilowatt (kW), megawatt (MW)
1 kW = 1000 W
1 MW = 1 000 000 W

• Compared to a 60W bulb, a 100W light bulb is brighter as

more electrical energy is converted to light energy.
13.4 How do we reduce the consumption of
electrical energy?

Power of electrical appliances

To calculate power, P :

P = VI

where V is the potential difference across the appliance

I is the current flowing through appliance
13.4 How do we reduce the consumption of
electrical energy?

How do power companies know how much

electricity we consume?
•By fitting electricity meters to homes and other buildings
13.4 How do we reduce the consumption of
electrical energy?

Measuring electrical energy

• Unit for energy: joule (J)

• This unit is very small compared to the amount of energy
used in the home.
• Therefore, a larger unit known as kilowatt-hour (kWh) is
used.
• This is the unit marked on electricity meter.
• Power companies bill us accordingly, using the energy
usage recorded on the meter.
13.4 How do we reduce the consumption of
electrical energy?

kilowatt-hour
• 1 kWh = amount of energy consumed by a 1 kW
appliance in 1 h

• Energy consumed = Power x Time

(kWh) (kW) (h)

Note:
k (not K): kilo; W (not w): watt; h (not H): hour
13.4 How do we reduce the consumption of
electrical energy? (optional for NA)

Cost of using electrical appliances

• Cost of electrical energy

= Units of electrical energy used x Cost per unit

Note:
1 unit of electrical energy means 1 kWh of electrical energy
Example 5 (optional for NA)

A refrigerator has a power rating of 220 W. How much

energy, in kWh, does it consume in 30 days?
power of the appliance = 220 W = 0.22 kW
time in use = 30 days = 30 x 24 h = 720 h
energy consumed = 0.22 kW x 720 h = 158 kWh

If each unit of electrical energy costs 25 cents, what would

be the cost of using the refrigerator for 30 days?
cost of using the refrigerator
= number of units x cost per unit
= 158 kWh x 0.25 cents per kWh

= 3950 cents (or $39.50)

Example 6 (optional for NA)
The cost of 1 unit of electricity is $0.25.
Calculate the cost of using a 100 W light bulb for 8 hours.

power of light bulb = 100 W = 0.1 kW

time in use = 8 h
energy consumed = 0.1 x 8 = 0.8 kWh

cost of using the light bulb

= number of units x cost per unit
= 0.8 kWh x $0.25 per kWh
= $0.20 (or 20 cents)
13.4 How do we reduce the consumption of
electrical energy?
We can reduce the consumption
of electrical energy in our daily
lives by being more
energy-efficient, that is, using
less electrical energy to
perform the same tasks.

The Mandatory Energy Labelling

Scheme was introduced in
Singapore for electrical
appliances. The energy labels on
these electrical appliances help
us to compare their energy
efficiency easily before
purchasing them.
13.4 How do we reduce the consumption of
electrical energy?
13.4 How do we reduce the consumption of
electrical energy?
Ways to conserve energy in households
13.4 How do we reduce the consumption of
electrical energy?

Ways to conserve energy in households

Examples
- Buy electrical appliances that have energy labels with
three or more ticks
- Switch off the air conditioner after a short while and then
switch to a fan
- Switch off the water heater after use
- Use a vacuum flask instead of an electric hot water
dispenser
- Switch off the power socket to reduce standby power