A 115 v hot water heater with a resistance of 5.75 ohms will draw what current at rated voltage?

• A. 10 amps
• B. 15 amps
• C. 20 amps
• D. 25 amps

Answer: (C)

To determine the current drawn by the hot water heater at its rated voltage, Ohm's Law can be applied, which states that current (I) is equal to voltage (V) divided by resistance (R). The formula can be expressed as:

I = V / R

In this scenario, the voltage is 115 volts and the resistance of the hot water heater is 5.75 ohms. Plugging these values into the formula gives:

I = 115 volts / 5.75 ohms

Calculating this yields:

I ≈ 20 amps

This result indicates that the water heater will draw approximately 20 amps of current when functioning at its rated voltage of 115 volts. Thus, the answer is 20 amps, which matches the option provided. This calculation showcases the fundamental relationship between voltage, current, and resistance in electrical systems.