| Paul Hovnanian P.E. 2007-10-05, 8:25 pm |
| VWWall wrote:
>
> ChrisCoaster wrote:
> That is correct, but the watts used by a resistive load is voltage
> squared divided by the load's resistance. In this case the only thing
> changed is the load resistance, increased a small amount by the "stab"
> connection resistance. At the same line voltage, the watts used will
> actually decrease. True, there is loss at the connection which results
> in lower load efficiency, but the power drawn is less.
>
> You'll have to look elsewhere for your lower power bills.
>
> There can be a fire danger due to poor connections, so you did well!
>
> --
> Virg Wall, P.E.
I'll agree that the loss in the higher resistance contacts is small. But
for some appliances, the energy consumption will be constant. For
appliances with thermostatically controlled heating elements, the
voltage drop may cause lower power consumption by the heater, but the
t'stat will cause the element to run longer to achieve the same
temperature.
For appliances with motors, such as a refrigerator, lower voltage will
result in increased current draws, so excessive voltage drops will in
fact result in greater power dissipation both in the motor's windings
(I^2R loss) plus in the poor connection.
--
Paul Hovnanian mailto:Paul@Hovnanian.com
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Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur.
(Whatever is said in Latin sounds profound.)
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