seems strange but... example, a heater, 13 amp fuse... does it draw the same power supply when its full heat as it does when its on a lower setting?...
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The fact that an appliance is fitted with a 13 amp fuse does NOT mean that it is drawing 13 amps of current from the supply!. The fuse rating just limits the MAX current that the appliance can draw.
A heater running on a low setting is drawing LESS current that when it is on a higher setting, so the number of WATTS it is using is less, but if it is fitted with a 13 amp fuse, the max current it can draw before the fuse blows is 13 amps. Do not confuse current with power, which is measured in watts.
You can always work out what the current is by applying Ohm's law.
Power = Voltage * current
If your supply voltage is 240 V [ this is the UK standard. The US standard is 120V], then, with a 13 amp fuse fitted the max power will be
Power = 240 * 13 = 3120 W
Any appliance that dissipates or uses more than this power will require a higher rated fuse.
A heater running on a low setting is drawing LESS current that when it is on a higher setting, so the number of WATTS it is using is less, but if it is fitted with a 13 amp fuse, the max current it can draw before the fuse blows is 13 amps. Do not confuse current with power, which is measured in watts.
You can always work out what the current is by applying Ohm's law.
Power = Voltage * current
If your supply voltage is 240 V [ this is the UK standard. The US standard is 120V], then, with a 13 amp fuse fitted the max power will be
Power = 240 * 13 = 3120 W
Any appliance that dissipates or uses more than this power will require a higher rated fuse.
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No, it doesn't. 13 amp is the safety limit of the fuse. The unit probably uses around 10 Amp at Max Load but there has to be a safety margin for mains spikes ETC
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Not at all. The fuse give you an idea of the maximum power it might use: but on a lower setting it will consume less energy.
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yes