If a circuit contains several devices, the total power drawn equals the sum of each device's power rating.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Depends on configuration
• D. Only for series circuits

Answer: (A)

Power adds up when multiple loads draw from the same circuit. Each device draws a certain amount of power, and the total power the source must supply is the sum of those individual powers. This follows from P = V × I and the fact that, for loads connected to the same supply, the current through each device contributes to the total current, while each device’s power is P_i = V × I_i. Therefore, P_total = sum of P_i.

The device’s power rating is how much power it would use at its rated voltage. If all devices operate at that same voltage, their rated powers add to give the total power drawn. If the actual operating voltage differs from the ratings, the real powers would differ, but the overall principle remains: the total power drawn is the sum of the powers each device consumes under the operating conditions.