Jaycar 300W inverter - opinions

Submitted: Wednesday, Sep 02, 2009 at 18:29
ThreadID: 71984 Views:11082 Replies:11 FollowUps:37
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I've done a quick search through the threads and it looks like the Jaycar 300W inverter is pretty popular among the people on this forum. Would like to get some general opinions on this. Has it worked well? Has it carked it prematurely? Has anyone fried any adapter or electronic device? Has it not worked with any appliance? Has anyone electrocuted themselves and survived? :D
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Sep 02, 2009 at 18:45

Wednesday, Sep 02, 2009 at 18:45
I've used a basic 300watt Jaycar inverter (not sine-wave) for about 4 years running rechargers and occasionally a laptop. Has always worked fine.
AnswerID: 381652

Follow Up By: Member - Damien L (Cairns) - Wednesday, Sep 02, 2009 at 21:50

Wednesday, Sep 02, 2009 at 21:50
I used a 300w inverter for a couple of years for short periods to run my laptop. One day I used it for a longer period and found it got too hot. It was a 600w peak and 300w normal. I checked the ou put of the laptop charger and it said it was 340w input. I have now changed to a 500w inverter

Damien
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Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 10:23

Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 10:23
Damien,
is your new "500w inverter" a Pure Sine Wave ?

Maîneÿ . . .
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Follow Up By: Member - Damien L (Cairns) - Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 14:50

Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 14:50
yes, it is a Sinergex 500 w/1000w. it set me back just over $200
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Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 15:55

Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 15:55
Yes, what ???

Sinergex don't appear to make a 500 watt PURE sine wave inverter
the do make a MODIFIED sine wave 500 Watt inverterImage Could Not Be Found
the Sinergex website states:

"Modified Sine wave is an output that *tries to imitate* pure sine waves but comes up a little short.

Nevertheless, modified sine wave inverters have their advantages. Modified sine wave inverters are great to run appliances and equipment such as power tools, non-digital microwave oven, lights, and other motor driven loads.
The main downside to modified sine wave output is slight interference.
This interference can be seen on some televisions and computers.
It will not cause any damage, but can be a little annoying. The upside to modified sine wave inverters is they will run most appliances, and are very affordable"

They don't recomend computers be used with Modified sinewave
but they do recomend computers with their Pure sinewave inverters

Maîneÿ . . .
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Reply By: Rangiephil - Wednesday, Sep 02, 2009 at 18:50

Wednesday, Sep 02, 2009 at 18:50
The pure sine wave 300W changed a couple of years ago to a less substantial unit.
I have the old one and it has been excellent but cannot comment on the newer model.
Regards Philip A
AnswerID: 381653

Reply By: Krakka - Wednesday, Sep 02, 2009 at 18:59

Wednesday, Sep 02, 2009 at 18:59
Has worked well for me, mainly used for phone and camera chargers, also use it for a fan in the camper when it is hot.

Krakka
AnswerID: 381655

Reply By: MrBitchi (QLD) - Wednesday, Sep 02, 2009 at 19:00

Wednesday, Sep 02, 2009 at 19:00
No problems with mine.
AnswerID: 381656

Reply By: Mrbrush - Wednesday, Sep 02, 2009 at 20:34

Wednesday, Sep 02, 2009 at 20:34
I don`t think you will have any trouble. I bought a 600w inveter off ebay a few years ago for less than $100 and it has`nt faulted.
I also have a 600w Projecta inverter (top Quality), And it cuts out on 500 watts , but the ol` Ebay one keeps going. Figure ?

They are very cheap now if you are unlucky, and it dies just throw it out and get another brand.
AnswerID: 381672

Reply By: Member - Doug T (NT) - Wednesday, Sep 02, 2009 at 23:48

Wednesday, Sep 02, 2009 at 23:48
Pay a bit more and get a good one, These are not Chinese, they're Taiwanese,

700W PSW Cotek Inverter

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Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 09:16

Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 09:16
Garbage,
read this information posted on the Codek Inverter web site, then make an *informed* decision

"" Please note: Modified Sine Wave Inverters are N0T suitable to be used with medical equipment, or devices with battery chargers such as mobile phone chargers, lap top computers, and power tools ""

How 'lucky' do you feel, why not get an Inverter that is designed to reliably power ALL appliances ?

This looks like my own Cotek Inverter

Maîneÿ . . .
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Reply By: Alan Southport QLD - Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 09:23

Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 09:23
Buy a Pure SineWave invertor. They cost more but much better peace of mind.

MSW (Modiyfied Sine Waves), will give you lines through CRT Tv's.

A lot of power adaptors nowadays are electronic, not the heavy 'coil' type. A MSW will destroy these electronic types.

Example: A Christmas light string with one of those flash pattern controllers. Went through 3 controllers, before i used a PSW - never had a problem since. I apologised to the shop ;)
Example: A computer CRT, or LCD screen, will 'fizzle and crackle'.
Example: Two Nokia power (electronic type), adaptors "melted".

Get the biggest Invertor you can use, fit and afford ;)

Peak power example: A Fridge which has 0.7Amps will want around 500-600Watts to get the compressor going - That's wattage that the fridge WILL draw, nevermind what other things are running off the invertor. Expect lights and whatever else to dim when that happens. but once running will only consume approx 170watts.

Peak power rating is a bit misleading to me. I personally wouldn't trust any item that would draw the invertors Peak output on a regular basis.

MSW can be used ok on fridges (without fancy electronic displays), and anything that has a motor (Grinder, drills, CRT TV's etc), - within reason.

But PSW, will work with everything.

Taiwan is good. Stay away from Chinese.


AnswerID: 381730

Reply By: Member -Signman - Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 09:53

Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 09:53
I got my 300w unit from SuperCrap..used it last trip away with no probs...doing the usual things like charging batterys, running the 'puter etc.

AnswerID: 381735

Reply By: Honky - Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 10:28

Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 10:28
Just don't use them while you are charging the batteries as it lights them up like you wouldn't believe.

Honky
AnswerID: 381743

Follow Up By: garbage - Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 11:42

Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 11:42
Are you saying you're not supposed to use them while the car is switched on? Is this just the Jaycar one or all modified sine wave ones?
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Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 12:00

Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 12:00
Not necessarily true.....a good inverter will have DC input protection for over-voltage and under-voltage together with being able to regulate the supplied voltage from around 10.5 to 15 volts. (unit specific obviously)

For example, this is the specs for the inverter mentioned above by Doug:

http://www.mhpower.com.au/pdf/inverter/Cotek%20SK700~3000%20inverter.pdf

Hope that helps garbage :)

Andrew
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Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 12:35

Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 12:35
the different 'types' PSW or also not PSW will *both* kill you the same way
(dead is dead)

But *quality* Inverters are fitted with a fuse to eliminate 240v problems and I also use a 16 Amp, 240v RSD switch in-line between the Inverter and the 4 connection power board, to make sure I don't have the problem of electrocution at any time.
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Image Could Not Be FoundMaîneÿ . . .
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Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 13:13

Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 13:13
Hey Mainey,

That's not a RCD....it's a Circuit Breaker!

Andrew
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Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 13:41

Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 13:41
Andrew,
will it stop 240v electricity from killing me, as a circuit breaker will ?

Maîneÿ . . .
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Follow Up By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 14:32

Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 14:32
huh?

Your photo states "the RCD"....it shows an ABB 16A circuit breaker (s251), not an RCD per se.

Andrew
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Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 14:40

Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 14:40
Andrew,
I will ask again, will it stop 240v electricity from killing me ?

Information LINK: Residual Current Device

Maîneÿ . . .
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Follow Up By: wazzaaaa - Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 15:49

Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 15:49
Mainey,

My understanding is for the rcd to do it's job and trip from a fault, both the Earth and Neutral have to be bonded in the outlet point of the inverter or generator "men link" as in a house switch board. Is that the case with your inverter?


Wazzaaaa
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Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 16:04

Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 16:04
It's all been wired up inside the sealed white box, all work was done by the electrician who also supplied all the parts.
I use it as a one Mtr 'extension cable' to the 4 plug power board.

Maîneÿ . . .
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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 18:46

Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 18:46
An RCD which isn't tested regulary is dangerous.

If there is an RCD inside the box, then it should have the TEST switch accessible.

If it doesn't have a TEST switch, it's NOT an RCD and provides NO protection against electrocution.
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Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 19:43

Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 19:43
there's no red "test button" on the switch, as I've on the 240v RCD switch's in the power box at home.
You just can't trust some b******s, I was told he was going to fit a new RCD into the box.
It's a 16 Amp, 240v circuit breaker, the same as used in home 240v circuits, so I can't see why there is no protection in the 240v cable - from the switch onward to the 4 plug power board ?

Maîneÿ . . .
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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 20:10

Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 20:10
"It's a 16 Amp, 240v circuit breaker, the same as used in home 240v circuits, so I can't see why there is no protection in the 240v cable"

This breaker will open when the current exceeds 16 amps - slowly. 16 amps flowing through your body will cause horrendous burns.

To prevent fatal electrocution, an RCD needs to open the circuit in a fraction of a second when the current through your body exceeds one fiftieth of an amp - that's 1/800th of the current that a 16 amp breaker detects.

But keep an mind a RCD only detects current flowing from Active to Earth.
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Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 21:57

Thursday, Sep 03, 2009 at 21:57
If it's certified to work in a home situation surely it's ok to use everywhere?

What 240v ( fuse ) is better than what he has fitted ???

I know when turned 'off' no current runs to the 4 plug powerboard.

Maîneÿ . . .
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Saturday, Sep 05, 2009 at 17:39

Saturday, Sep 05, 2009 at 17:39
A RCD is useless in an inverter application unless you earth the inverter earth to your car or the ground where you are standing.

That 16A CB is good for 6000a of fault current thats a fair bit and 16 a equates to around 3840watts, a little overkill for a 300w inverter did you say?

Will it stop the inverter killing you Mainey, I am not so sure. The inverter will peak out well before it hits 16a so it wont even trip.
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Follow Up By: wazzaaaa - Saturday, Sep 05, 2009 at 17:46

Saturday, Sep 05, 2009 at 17:46
A good discussion on this is on this thread on this forum.

Link
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Saturday, Sep 05, 2009 at 17:53

Saturday, Sep 05, 2009 at 17:53
A Van is wired differently wazzaaa, a RCD is DEFINITELY required there but everything is earthed to the van frame. So it will work.

The tread you referred to talks about two things, the testing of the operation of the RCD (pressing the button and it clicks out) and actually testing the system will operate for a residual current. One needs to understand what they are on about here. Denco (in your link) is on the money IMHO.

How many of us earth our inverters to our vehicle?
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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Saturday, Sep 05, 2009 at 17:53

Saturday, Sep 05, 2009 at 17:53
More than one-twentieth (0.02) of an amp will KILL you.

You'll be very dead by the time the current reaches the 2-amp surge limit of a 300 watt Inverter.
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Saturday, Sep 05, 2009 at 17:56

Saturday, Sep 05, 2009 at 17:56
Spot on Mike. Although I have seen several cases of much more than 0.02a not killing people with a high voltage contact, mind you, some pieces of their bodies were never seen again. (fingers, toes hmmm)
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Follow Up By: wazzaaaa - Saturday, Sep 05, 2009 at 18:02

Saturday, Sep 05, 2009 at 18:02
Bonz,

I have an inverter and it has nothing to do with the wiring in my van if I connect it to my generator and use it to power things in my van like in a normal camping situation the van is just like a large power boad. The point I am making is for an RCD to work the E and N of the inverter have to be bonded. Although this is not advisable if not using an RCD.

Wazzaaaa
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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Saturday, Sep 05, 2009 at 20:22

Saturday, Sep 05, 2009 at 20:22
Hmm Interesting wazzaaaa let me get this right, I understand you have a 12v generator to which you connect your inverter and run your van 240v appliances off it. Am I right?

I think Australia runs on a MEN system, Victoria sure does. So your van would have a switchboard somewhere with a neutral link in there with the earth connected to that link. When a RCD is connected a second neutral link is sometimes used for multiple circuits, This second link is not earthed.

The RCD monitors the current through the active and "return" neutral and when there is an imbalance it trips. The imbalance is caused by current flowing through the active and through the earth system (not back thru the neutral), i.e. something/someone has got itself/themselves between an active and the earth and is experiencing that current.

Given that you need a circuit to get an electric shock, if the inverter isn't connected to anything else then a RCD wont pick up a difference.
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Follow Up By: wazzaaaa - Sunday, Sep 06, 2009 at 00:56

Sunday, Sep 06, 2009 at 00:56
Mmmmm, I think you are right Bonza so far only I have a 1980's van in QLD and I do not have anything that resembles a "MEN" link as Mainy doen't in my van.

That is my warning.

Wazzaaaa

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Follow Up By: Maîneÿ . . .- Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 12:15

Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 12:15
Wazzaaaa,
I can assure you there's definately no "MEN" in my van

(other than me)
have to admit to a few hot wired 'women' :-) :-)



Mike,
I'm not having a go at you here, just asking a question.
(Mike DID posted: More than one-twentieth (0.02) of an amp will KILL you)

I've been 'sparked' many times wiring Solar systems that I'm positive are much higher than the 0.02 Amps you mention above, is it because it's only 17 to 22 Volts and not 240v that I'm still here?

Maîneÿ . . .
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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 12:42

Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 12:42
"I've been 'sparked' many times wiring Solar systems that I'm positive are much higher than the 0.02 Amps you mention above, is it because it's only 17 to 22 Volts and not 240v that I'm still here? "

It's very important for eveyone's safety to understand why some people can be electrocuted by so much current that it burns skin off, yet others can be electrocuted by a tiny current that leaves no mark on the body - yet the person dies.

The heart is electrically operated and currents flowing through the chest can stop the heart or send it into ventricular fibrillation that doesn't pump any blood.

One-fiftieth of an amp (20mA) for a fraction of second is the maximum current flowing through the chest that will not stop the heart.

Current will flow through the chest if it goes in via a hand and out via a foot; in via one hand and out via another hand etc.

If you touch two wires with two fingers on the same hand; or a finger and a wrist on the same hand then the current doesn't flow through the chest. You can have many skin-searing amps flowing through the hand without suffering fatal electrocution.

So if you have survived electrocution by a current that wasn't interrupted by an ELCB/RCD, don't assume you have some exceptional immunity to electrocution - it depends on where the current was flowing.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- RCDs do NOT provide full protection against fatal electrocution. --

It's also dangerous to assume that because the circuit you're using is protected by an ELCB/RCD that you can't be killed by it. The RCD will ONLY trip if your body contacts both Active and Earth.

If you contact Active and Neutral, the Fuse/Breaker will not open until the current reaches 16 amps. Normal load current flows from Active to Neutral and the RCD can't tell the difference between Load current and body current.

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Follow Up By: Bonz (Vic) - Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 17:53

Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 17:53
Great expl Mike, We should catch up one day we know stuff.
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Reply By: Brian B - Friday, Sep 04, 2009 at 11:12

Friday, Sep 04, 2009 at 11:12
Getting back to the actual inverter question, is the Jaycar 380 watt pure sine inverter a good product, reliability etc.

Also, for that size inverter how many amps would that be drawing from the 12 volt system?
AnswerID: 381902

Follow Up By: wazzaaaa - Friday, Sep 04, 2009 at 13:52

Friday, Sep 04, 2009 at 13:52
Brian had a look at my spec's, although a different brad it says for a 350w it draws "No Load Current Draw" 0.6A. Don't lnow about the Jaycar one sorry

Wazzaaaa
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Follow Up By: Brian B - Saturday, Sep 05, 2009 at 15:16

Saturday, Sep 05, 2009 at 15:16
Thanks Wazzaaa, that sounds like when it is doing much, wonder what draw it has when putiting out the max 350W.

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Follow Up By: wazzaaaa - Sunday, Sep 06, 2009 at 00:54

Sunday, Sep 06, 2009 at 00:54
Mmmmm, I think you are right Bonza so far only I have a 1980's van in QLD and I do not have anything that resembles a "MEN" link as Mainy doen't in my van.

That is my warning.

Wazzaaaa
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Reply By: MikeyZ - Sunday, Sep 06, 2009 at 20:51

Sunday, Sep 06, 2009 at 20:51
If you want to know the current rating of an inverter or any thing else for that matter, all you have to do is apply/use Ohm's Law.

In this case just divide the wattage by the voltage and the result will be your current.

Eg. 300watts / 12volts = 25amps.

Change voltage to 240 (mains voltage in Australia) and the result is quite different.

Eg. 300watts / 240volts = 1.25amps.

This is why for lower voltage applications at the same wattage, a heavier guage cable needs to be used.

Hope this helps.
AnswerID: 382192

Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 12:13

Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 12:13
Errr, no.

Ohms Law gives the relationship between Current, Voltage and Resistance.
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Follow Up By: MikeyZ - Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 16:12

Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 16:12
Mike,

What is it exactly about what I have said above that is not correct?

Perhaps you may be able to expand on your comment?
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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 17:03

Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 17:03
Ohms Law gives the relationship between Current, Voltage and Resistance - it doesn't relate to Power in any way.
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Follow Up By: MikeyZ - Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 19:38

Monday, Sep 07, 2009 at 19:38
Well I guess that I have been doing it wrong the past 20 years. How about you check out this link which is just one of a couple I found with a basic google search. I guess they must have it wrong as well. Also my text books must be wrong also.

"The truth is out there"

Enjoy

http://www.the12volt.com/ohm/ohmslaw.asp
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Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Tuesday, Sep 08, 2009 at 14:05

Tuesday, Sep 08, 2009 at 14:05
Yes, my 45 years work in Electrical Engineering tells me you're wrong.

. . . . but wait, you've found a website that says you're right . . . . then obviously all these other sources are wrong -

Sci-Tech Encyclopedia: Ohm's law - The direct current flowing in an electrical circuit is directly proportional to the voltage applied to the circuit. The constant of proportionality R, called the electrical resistance, is given by the equation below,

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia: Ohm's law - Relationship between the potential difference (voltage), electric current, and resistance in an electric circuit.

Columbia Encyclopedia: Ohm's law - law stating that the electric current i flowing through a given resistance r is equal to the applied voltage v divided by the resistance, or i=v/r.

Veterinary Dictionary: Ohm's law - The electric current flowing through a conductor is equal to the voltage divided by the resistance.

Electronics Dictionary: Ohm's law - Relationship between voltage, current and resistance.

Wikipedia: Ohm's law - Ohm's law states that the current through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the potential difference or voltage across the two points, and inversely proportional to the resistance between them.


Thanks to the Internet, you have be careful to find the real truth out there.

Feel free to raise the issue with David - he's also an Electrical Engineer.
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