Susan Brown

[Susan Brown]

Can you do the calculation for #38? Let me know what answer you get.

[Susan Brown]

Here’s what I wrote to you:

Before I reset you, I’d like to work with you a little bit to help you get a better understanding of the material.

Please look through the results of the exam, at the questions you missed. Are there any of those that you don’t understand what the correct answer should be and why?

I would like to help you!

Also, do you have a notebook where you make notes on the course material?

In other words, please let me know a few of the questions that you don’t fully understand so we can talk through them.

[Susan Brown]

Sounds like you’ve got it.

If 120vac is present at the load, this means there is no break on the L1 side of the load. Thus, the open is on the neutral side.

If the fault were on the line side of the load, you would not measure any voltage at the load.

Make sense?

[Susan Brown]

Yes, but if there’s an open on the L1 wire somewhere between the outlet and the load, how would that voltage be present at the load?

[Susan Brown]

I’m not sure what you mean about measuring 120vac “through” neutral. We measure it “with respect to” neutral. Meaning, one probe of your meter is at the terminal on one side of the bulb, and the other probe is on a known neutral point.

On the other hand, when we place our probes on either side of the bulb, we get no voltage difference – they are at the same potential. Thus, we know that there’s no current flowing, and the bulb is just acting like a wire.

If the open in a circuit is on the “hot” or “line” side of a load, where would you be getting the 120vac from?

[Susan Brown]

Correct – there is an open in the circuit.

That’s part of the answer. The other part is which side of the circuit has the open.

It’s a 120vac circuit, so line is on one side of the load, and neutral is on the other.

We measured 120vac at one side of the bulb. What does this tell us about the location of the open – which side of the circuit is it on?

[Susan Brown]

I’ve been replying to your reset requests, asking you to work with me on some of the questions you missed. I haven’t heard back from you. Have you received those emails from me? (if not, check your spam folder.)

[Susan Brown]

1. If current is flowing through the circuit, then why is the bulb not lit? Why is there no voltage drop across it?

Remember: in a series circuit, current is either flowing or it’s not. It can’t flow in one part and not the other. It can’t flow at different rates within the circuit.

Also, if current flows through a load, work will be done, and a voltage drop will be created.

Does this change your mind about whether or not current is flowing in this circuit?

[Susan Brown]

The bulb and receptacle are fine. We just want you to look at this electrically. Please answer the two questions above. I gave you those to show you how you should be thinking about this.

[Susan Brown]

Did you see my reply here? I was expecting to hear back from you, and work with you to make sure you understood the correct answer.

[Susan Brown]

Haha – it’s great to see someone using their brain on a Saturday night!

I’ll have to get Scott’s input on these… it’s been a crazy Monday… will get back to you!

[Susan Brown]

You’ve got a load (the bulb) that we tell you is “good”, yet is not lighting up. So, no work is being done.

1. What does that tell you about current flow in the circuit?

We also tell you that you do measure 120vac wrt N at one of the terminals. This is a 120vac circuit (L1 – N).

2. What does that tell you about the location of the fault – which side of the circuit?

These are the two questions you should be able to answer, if you think about the basics we’ve taught about current, voltage, and voltage drop.

[Susan Brown]

You got it, with one correction.

Voltage doesn’t “travel”, it is present, or felt. Current is what is moving in a circuit (electron flow). So, the electrons are shunted and do not travel through the main coil.

Voltage drop is created by current flowing through a load.

Note – I’ll have to hide parts of your answer so we don’t just give it away to others. The struggle with this question is a great learning experience!

[Susan Brown]

[answer hidden]
Bingo! That is the correct thinking.

What does this mean for the ignitor and booster?

[Susan Brown]

Hi Mike,

If I “Zen” the booster – I get L1 on my left and the main on my right.

On your right, as you are working your way to N, you have two options. Go through the main coil, or go through the closed detector switch.

Why did you choose going through the main coil?

[Author]

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