Three 2 Ω resistors, A, B and C, are connected as shown in Figure 12.7. Each of them dissipates energy and can withstand a maximum power of 18W without melting. Find the maximum current that can flow through the three resistors?
Given
Maximum Power a Resistor can handle (P): 18
Resistance Value of A: 2
Resistance Value of B: 2
Resistance Value of C: 2
After substituting the values in the above equation 1 we get maximum current a resistor can take is 3 amperes.
IA=IB+Ic …(2)
So, if you note from equation 2, whatever current that passes through resistor A gets split and passes through resistor B and C.
Therefore, Resistor A has the maximum current of 3A passing through it due to an upper limit of power 18W.
Hence, IA=3A
As the resistors B and C are parallel to each other, voltage across them is going to be same. Let us assume it to be V
So we can see that current in Resistor B and C are going to be same and from equation 2 we can see that sum of current in both resistor to be 3A.
So, the maximum current that can flow through each resistor is
IA=3A
IB=1.5A
IC=1.5 A