1996 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 1996 · General Studies
Question 122: Science and Technology
Domestic electrical wiring is basically a
aseries connection
bparallel connection
ccombination of series and parallel connections
dseries connection within each room and parallel connection elsewhere
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Household wiring is a parallel connection, so every appliance gets the full mains voltage, works independently, and switching one off does not affect the others. In a series connection the appliances would share the voltage, and one failure would cut off the rest. Remember: parallel - same voltage, independent working.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) In series, appliances would share the voltage and one failure would cut off the rest.
- (b) Right: parallel connection gives each appliance full voltage and independence.
- (c) A mix of series and parallel is not how appliances are wired.
- (d) No room-wise series arrangement is used for appliances.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1996, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.