Locate the fuse box or circuit breaker box in your own home or building. Ask your parents where it is located, and examine it closely. a. Make a sketch which includes all the fuses or circuit breakers in the box. Usually they will be labeled (such as “Living Room” or “Refrigerator” or “Central Air” or “Bedroom”). Copy these labels. If the fuses or circuit breakers are numbered instead, there is usually a list nearby to tell you what number goes with what room or section of your home. b. On each fuse or circuit breaker there will be a number like 10, 15, 20 or 40. Make a note of this number. This is the number of amperes allowed for that circuit. c. Add up the total amperes allowed for your house. This is the total of all the circuits for your home. d. What is the ampere limit for your bedroom circuit? For your bathroom circuit? e. Make a list of everything that is plugged into the outlets of one room or section of your home (one circuit). Examine each item carefully and determine how many amperes each item uses. Calculate the amperes using the formula if necessary. Compare the total amperes used with the total available amperes on that circuit.
