ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area How does Electricity flow?

Good Q !

In a 120/240 system, the sine is 180 A to B phase at unity. When an incandescent lamp is energized, it really is only on 1/2 the time, being that it sees only 1/2 the sine.If less that 60HZ is viewed, this is a little more notable. current goes , and current returns.
The same 240V lamp sees both A & B phases, current goes from A to B, and from B to A simultaneously.
The same goes for the X-former on the pole, the only difference being the imbalance returning on the center tap.

Hows that?


Of course one good Q leads to another here;



Energy cannot be destroyed right?, so if the lamp changes X amount to heat and light, is there less of a return current?

try this link;
infopop



[This message has been edited by sparky (edited 02-28-2001).]

[This message has been edited by sparky (edited 02-28-2001).]