Which requires the most electrical power during operation? Note: 1 HP = 746 watts

Which requires the most electrical power during operation? Note: 1 HP = 746 watts

• A. A 12 volt motor requiring 8 amperes
• B. Four 30 watt lamps in a 12 volt parallel circuit
• C. Two lights requiring 3 amperes each in a 24 volt parallel system
• D. One light requiring 3 amperes in a 12 volt circuit

Answer: (C)

Power usage is determined by P = V × I. Compare each scenario using that. - A 12 V motor drawing 8 A uses 12 × 8 = 96 W. - Four lamps at 12 V, each 30 W, total 4 × 30 = 120 W (or each lamp would draw 2.5 A, but the total is what matters here). - Two lights in a 24 V parallel system, each drawing 3 A, use per light 24 × 3 = 72 W, totaling 2 × 72 = 144 W. - One light at 12 V drawing 3 A uses 12 × 3 = 36 W. The two lights at 24 V together consume 144 W, which is the most among the options. Higher voltage with the same current increases power, so that configuration draws more power despite having the same current per light as other 3 A cases.

Power usage is determined by P = V × I. Compare each scenario using that.

• A 12 V motor drawing 8 A uses 12 × 8 = 96 W.

• Four lamps at 12 V, each 30 W, total 4 × 30 = 120 W (or each lamp would draw 2.5 A, but the total is what matters here).

• Two lights in a 24 V parallel system, each drawing 3 A, use per light 24 × 3 = 72 W, totaling 2 × 72 = 144 W.

• One light at 12 V drawing 3 A uses 12 × 3 = 36 W.

The two lights at 24 V together consume 144 W, which is the most among the options. Higher voltage with the same current increases power, so that configuration draws more power despite having the same current per light as other 3 A cases.