High electric bill because of loose connections?

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A resistor in series with a load is the same as two resistors in series. Total resistance in a series circuit is the sum of the resistors. Voltage is dropped across each resistance in a series circuit.
 
Less power to load due to voltage drop

Less power to load due to voltage drop

iaov said:
I'm not sure what the hell scientific math is but I do understand Ohms law very,very well.If you put a resistor in series with a load (bad connection) and the voltage stays the same, there will be less current in this circuit. Your device in this circuit may not work as it should, you may have heating issues at the bad connection, but you will not be drawing more power from the POCO. Current makes the meter spin.
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If you put a resistor in series with a load (bad connection) and the voltage stays the same, there will be less current in this circuit.
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True. Less current in the circuit and a little lower voltage at the load terminals.
Your device in this circuit may not work as it should, you may have heating issues at the bad connection, but you will not be drawing more power from the POCO.
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Also very true. The result will be: operating the load at lesser voltage and current limited by the series "bad connection" resistance. If the connection is very bad, and the load happens to be a motor, motor stalling can occur if the terminal voltage drops below stall voltage of motor.
IHMO, the registered kWHr on the customer meter will include energy lost as heat due to heating of the bad connection (IsquaredR loss) plus the actual energy consumed by the load at a lower voltage level and restrained line current. The total kWHr will therefore be lower if there are bad contacts.
 
I believe that loose connections could in some circumstances, cause a very small increase in the power bill.

Consider an outlet supplying a fridge, if a loose connection results in the loss of say 2 volts, then the fridge motor will receive 2 volts less, and depending on the type of motor will probably either draw more current, or will work at a reduced output and therefore run slightly longer in each hour.

Likewise a loose connection in an outlet supplying a computer, will result in less voltage, and therefore the switched mode power supply in the computer will draw slightly more current.

The effect would be very small however, and the fire risk from loose connections would be a much greater concern.

A loose connection in an outlet supplying an incandescent lamp would result in less current being used, and a very slightly smaller bill, though the light would be dimmer. (if the dimming was such that the user selected a higher wattage bulb, then of course the bill would increase)
 
iaov said:
Your device in this circuit may not work as it should, you may have heating issues at the bad connection
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I don't think you may have heating issues, I think you will have heating issues. And it takes energy to create heat. And you will be paying for that energy. Your intended loads will be operating less efficiently, so your referigerator will run longer, more lights will be turned on, etc.. Fixing the bad connection will reduce the amount of wasted energy and allow your intended loads to operate more efficiently, and keep Mr. Ohm happy as well.
 
Put it this way. A 100W inc lamp costs .14 a day to operate @ .10/kwh.

If you have a poor connection at a receptacle that is costing you that much, you will be able use that connection has a hand warmer on these nice cold days. The recept will eventually turn color and the connections glow. Before that, the AFCI may trip.
 
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