Question

What is heating effect of electric current?

Answer 1

When current flows through a conductor, heat energy is generated in the conductor. The heating effect of an electric current depends on three factors:

• The resistance, R of the conductor. A higher resistance produces more heat.
• The time, t for which current flows. The longer the time the larger the amount of heat produced
• The amount of current, I. the higher the current the larger the amount of heat generated.

Hence the heating effect produced by an electric current, I through a conductor of resistance, R for a time, t is given by H = I²Rt. This equation is called the Joule’s equation of electrical heating.