The heating effect of an electric current is the phenomenon where heat energy is generated in a conductor when current flows through it. The amount of heat produced depends on three factors: the resistance of the conductor, the time for which the current flows, and the magnitude of the current. The higher the resistance of the conductor, the more heat is produced. The heating effect produced by an electric current, I, through a conductor of resistance, R, for a time, t, is given by the Joule’s equation of electrical heating, which is H = I^2Rt.

The heating effect of electric current has several applications, including:

• Electric fuse wire: This is a safety device used in household wiring to protect against overloading. The fuse wire is made of a material with a low melting point, such as lead or tin, which melts and breaks the circuit when the current exceeds a certain value.

• Electric heater: An electric heater works by passing an electric current through a high-resistance wire, such as nichrome wire, which heats up and produces heat. The heat is then transferred to the surrounding air, warming up the room.

In summary, the heating effect of electric current is the production of heat energy in a conductor when current flows through it. The amount of heat produced depends on the resistance of the conductor, the time for which the current flows, and the magnitude of the current. The heating effect has several applications, including electric fuse wire and electric heaters.