Can anyone explain why turning on another load in an electrical system causes the others to diminish in intensity? I notice in my car when it's running that the transmission indicator display dims and brightens with the on/off pattern of the turn signals. Is this because the extra amps result in an inability of the system to maintain voltage? How could this be if the car has so many other loads to carry on the system and the alternator compensating? I also have seen the same thing at home. My microwave light and timer display dim and brighten with the on/off of the microwave power during reduced power cooking. This too seems odd even though its so many watts because I am not using the maximum amps for the breaker. Additionally, the whole house could surely be demanding more amps on the utilty company's power supply, as could the community. Is this for some reason a strain on 120V?
- posted
16 years ago