Electrician's Licensing Practice Exam

What may occur when an ammeter is connected in parallel with a load?

1. It will measure current correctly

2. No effect will occur

3. Damage may occur to the meter or personal injury

4. The circuit may become overloaded

The correct answer is: Damage may occur to the meter or personal injury

When an ammeter is connected in parallel with a load, it creates a situation where the vast majority of the current will flow through the ammeter rather than the load. This is because an ammeter is designed to have very low resistance, allowing it to be inserted into a circuit to measure current accurately when placed in series. When placed in parallel, the low resistance of the ammeter can effectively create a short circuit across the load. This results in an excessive amount of current flowing through the ammeter, potentially leading to its damage due to overheating or overloading. Furthermore, this situation can pose hazards such as personal injury from electric shock or burns, as the unexpected high current can generate dangerous conditions in the circuit. Thus, connecting an ammeter in parallel can have severe consequences for both the equipment and the individual working on or near the circuit, confirming that damage may occur to the meter or personal injury can ensue. This understanding reflects the importance of proper ammeter placement within electrical measurements.