How many amperes are in the outlet?

From the point of view of specialists in the field of electrical engineering, the question “what current is in the outlet?” Is not entirely correct. The fact is that if a consumer is not connected to the mains, then no current flows in it, since in this case the electric circuit is open.

However, if you do not go into disputes about the accepted terminology, then the rated current is the most important parameter of any electrical equipment. The choice of elements of the electric network, methods of their installation, as well as the characteristics of consumers should be carried out taking into account these parameters.

The main characteristics of electricity in household networks

Today, there are several criteria that determine the quality of electricity in household electrical networks with a voltage of 220 V. All these characteristics are clearly defined in GOST 32144-2013. The most important ones include:

1. Frequency deviation.
2. Slow changes, as well as fluctuations and voltage dips.
3. Non-sinusoidality of voltage.
4. Voltage unbalance in three-phase networks.

At arrangement of electrical wiring own apartment there is no need to take into account all the parameters of the quality of electricity. It is enough to know its main characteristics, which can be checked using simple and fairly cheap measuring instruments.

These parameters include the frequency of the supply network (direct or alternating current), the voltage value, as well as the power of the connected consumers.

Power frequency

Currently, AC power is used to power most consumers. Its wide distribution was facilitated by the ability to transfer such energy over long distances. This quality is ensured by the ability of alternating current to flow in electrical circuits containing capacitances, which are inevitably present in long power lines. As is known from the general course of physics, direct current does not have the ability to flow along a circuit that incorporates capacitors.

Since AC is used in sockets, one of its most important characteristics is frequency.

In our country, the use of alternating voltage electricity with a frequency of 50 Hz is accepted.

It is worth noting. Some consumers operate on high frequency voltage. This allows you to significantly reduce their mass and overall performance and improve some specific technical characteristics. To power such devices, frequency converters are used, which are built-in or purchased separately.

You can check the frequency in the network using special devices - frequency meters, however, for practical purposes, such measurements are rarely used. It is much more important to know how many amperes flow in the electric network and what is the magnitude of its voltage.

Mains voltage

Most people know in ordinary electrical outlet used AC voltage 220 V.

A three-phase network can be used to power more powerful consumers. In this case, the potential difference between the phases is 380 V, and between the phase and zero - the same 220 V. Actually, the state power system is built on the use of three-phase power networks. Their separation into single-phase lines occurs immediately before connecting consumers.

Due to the uneven load at different phases, a skew may occur, causing current to flow in the common neutral wire, as well as a decrease or increase in voltage on individual consumers.

Important! If the voltage in the outlet is outside the acceptable range, then significant difficulties can arise in the operation of electrical equipment, up to disconnecting it with built-in automatic protection or exiting the electrical installation system.

Consumer rated current

Any device used in electric networks of direct or alternating voltage has certain parameters. One of them is the rated current.

This characteristic shows how many amperes can be passed through the main circuit of the device for a long time.

In this regard, electrical outlets are no exception to the rule. They can also be divided according to the rated current. The standard values ​​for single-phase household devices are 6, 10, 16, 25 and 32 amperes.

Sockets for 6 - 16 amperes are used most often and can be combined into groups that are powered by a dedicated line from an apartment electrical panel. Devices with a rated current of 25 amperes are designed to power more powerful consumers.

As for the 32 amp sockets, they are produced in most cases in a three-phase design and designed to connect especially powerful consumers, such as electric stoves or hobs surface.

Rated current calculation

When electric current flows, the conductor heats up significantly, which is often the cause of failure of the power supply elements and even leads to a fire. The intensity of heating depends on two factors: the square of the current value, as well as the electrical resistance of the load. It is easy to guess that the most powerful consumers have minimal resistance, allowing them to pass significant currents.

Calculate what current in the outlet can be based on the power of the device connected to it. In this case:

I = P / U, (A).

where P is the active power of the consumer, watts.

U - network voltage, V.

This formula is equally suitable for determining current at AC and DC voltage.

Methods for measuring voltage and current

In order to check the compliance of the voltage value with the established requirements, as well as find out how many amperes flows through one or another of its elements, various devices are used to measure current and voltage.

Indicator screwdriver

The cheapest device that allows you to check for potential on the socket contacts is an ordinary indicator screwdriver. At the same time, it is impossible to find out how many volts are applied between the contacts.

In a normally working network, when the indicator touches the phase contact of the socket, it is built into the handle The voltage indicator LED lights up brightly, when you touch the zero wire, this glow missing. This method can only be used to determine the presence of voltage in a phase wire.

Its significant disadvantages are the impossibility of monitoring the integrity of the neutral conductor, the magnitude of the voltage, and also the susceptibility of measurement accuracy to the influence of “pick-ups” created by magnetic fields passing nearby electrical wires. Thus, the indicator can glow even if there is no rated voltage at the phase contact of the outlet.

Tester

A more accurate way to measure voltage is to use special devices - voltmeters (often used testers or multimeters that allow you to measure several quantities: voltage, current, resistance, capacitance of capacitors and etc).

Such a device is connected in parallel to the network (its probes are inserted into the outlet in the absence of consumers connected to it). Using similar devices, you can find out how many volts of direct or alternating voltage are applied to the contacts of the outlet.

The current strength at the outlet can be measured using a multimeter connected in series as an ammeter.

Important! A device configured to measure current cannot be connected in parallel to the network. It may fail.

Measuring pliers

The main disadvantage of using an ammeter is the complexity of its connection. Therefore, in many cases, in order to check how many amperes flow in the wire, measuring clamps can be used. The main advantage of this device is the absence of the need to open the circuit and turn off the electrical equipment when using it.

Thus, among all the characteristics of the electricity of household electrical networks, the most important are the frequency, voltage, and also the rated current.

You can find out what current in the outlet using measuring instruments or analytically using the formula.