If the applied voltage is 208V, what happens to the power of a heat strip rated at 10 kW?

In this scenario, the relationship between voltage, power, and resistance is crucial to understanding the impact of the applied voltage on the power of the heat strip. The heat strip is rated at 10 kW, which indicates it is designed to operate efficiently at a specific voltage level, typically the nominal voltage for which it is rated, often around 240V in many electrical systems.

When the applied voltage is reduced to 208V, the power output of the heat strip will not be at its rated capacity of 10 kW. Power can be computed using the formula:

[ P = \frac{V^2}{R} ]

where P represents power, V is voltage, and R is resistance. If the resistance of the heat strip remains constant, then a decrease in voltage will lead to a decrease in power output. This is a direct consequence of the squared relationship in the formula.

At 208V, the power will be less than the maximum designed for 240V due to the reduced voltage. Consequently, the actual power available for heating will indeed decrease, confirming that the performance of the heat strip is less effective under the lower voltage condition. Thus, the correct statement is that the power of the heat strip decreases when the