Which combination of lamps will draw the most current from a standard 120 volt branch circuit?

The combination of three 150 watt lamps will draw the most current from a standard 120 volt branch circuit. To understand why this is the case, we need to calculate the total current drawn by each option using the formula:

Current (Amps) = Power (Watts) / Voltage (Volts)

For the three 150 watt lamps, the total power is calculated as follows:

Total Power = 3 lamps × 150 watts = 450 watts

Now, applying the formula:

Current = 450 watts / 120 volts = 3.75 amps

This indicates that three 150 watt lamps will draw 3.75 amps from the circuit.

For the other options:

• One 100 watt lamp would draw about 0.83 amps (100 watts / 120 volts).

• Two 75 watt lamps together would draw about 1.25 amps (150 watts / 120 volts).

• One 150 watt lamp alone would draw 1.25 amps (150 watts / 120 volts).

With those calculations, it’s evident that the three 150 watt lamps collectively draw the highest current, making that option the correct choice. This knowledge is essential for understanding circuit capacities and for ensuring that circuits are not overloaded in