Step-by-Step Process of Electric Bell Operation
The electric doorbell which we all have observed in our day-to-day life is said to be a simple circuit that triggers a sound on the completion of a circuit by pressing the button. It is said to be this simplicity that makes the doorbell such a marvel. Simple devices like the doorbell in the house put the scientific principle of electromagnetism into action in a useful way. In order to understand the operations of an electric bell, we should first understand what an electromagnet is. Well, to put it in simple words an electromagnet is said to be a type of magnet in which the magnetic field is produced with the help of an electric current. Under any electrical influences electromagnet generally works as a standard magnet that is generating magnetic fields. When the power generated by an electromagnet stops, we can see the production of the magnetic field also stops. So we can say that in an electric bell an electromagnet generally forms a very important part along with the armature and the spring, armature rod, hammer, and a gong.
Once the setup is completed when the switch is pressed then the circuit loop is complete which causes the flow of current through the circuit. The arm which generally strikes the gong is connected to spring at one end and a ball of iron at the other end. This is known as a hammer or a striker. For the working of an electric bell, the magnetic field that is created by the electromagnet attracts the iron strip which is towards it when the circuit is complete. This is the moment when we hear the ringing sound since the hammer keeps hitting the gong. Meanwhile, we can say that at its rest position the hammer is held away from the gong on account of the spring attached to its arm. This is said to be an anchored arm. Working on an Electric Bell Now we can say that we have an understanding of the important parts of an electric bell. The step-by-step process of the working of the electric bell is described below: The first thing is the switch is pressed and the current flows through the circuit. Next, the electromagnet is powered and generates a magnetic field that attracts the iron strip towards it. Then the striker strikes the gong. When the striking arm strikes the gong then the contact is broken and the current stops flowing through the circuit. This causes the electromagnet to generally lose its magnetic field. Next, the connected spring arm returns the striker to its original rest position. The contact is generally said to be restored and the slow current flow is through the circuit, provided the main switch is still pressed. The process is said to be repeated from the beginning. (Image will be uploaded soon)Electric Bell and Electromagnets. The electromagnets generally have a wide range that is put in use in all sorts of devices. Can we think of some devices which are from everyday life where we use electromagnets? The electromagnets are generally said to be used in cranes to pick up cars in scrap yards and also to separate iron from a garbage dump. They are also used in loudspeakers as well as telephones and in motors used in electric fans and washing machines, refrigerators, etc. the Electromagnets which are also used in bells or electric bells.
An Electric Bell-Introduction
An electric doorbell is a simple circuit that triggers a tone by pressing a button when the circuit is complete. It is this simplicity that makes the doorbell such a wonder. Doorbell's simple device implements the scientific principles of electromagnetism in a meaningful way. To understand how an electric bell works, we first need to know about electromagnet. Electromagnet is a type of magnet where magnetic field is produced using an electric current.
When electric current flows through a wire tied around an iron rod the iron rod behave like a magnet. the magnetic effect of electric current has been used in making powerful electromagnet. the iron rod around which the wire is wound is called a solenoid. The wire is wrapped around the iron rod many times electric current is supplied to the wire, the iron Rod behaves like a magnet as long as current is supplied. the more the number of turns in the wire the stronger a magnetic effect. Electromagnet is used in electric bulbs and also in powerful cranes.
Uses of an Electromagnet:
Electromagnets are commonly used everyday appliances today.
They are used in doorbells, hard drives, speakers and much more. Eye specialists use it for taking out foreign particles from the eyes.
They are also being used for industrial applications.
Working of an Electric Bell
The important things required for construction of an electric bell are a gong , hammer, electrometer switch and soft iron armature or hand.
Now that you understand the important things for an electric bell, let's put up with a step-by-step explanation of how the electric bell works.
An electric bell has Electromagnet in it. It is made up of two rods of cast iron. The iron rods have a coil wrapped around them. A metallic strip is used and is kept parallel to the coils. This trip has a Hammer connected to it at one end. The other part of the strip is connected with the circuit. A gong is placed in such a position that it can be hit by a hammer. When electric current is passed through the circuit the cast iron rod becomes charged with electromagnetic energy and attracts the metallic strip. as a result, the metallic hammer hits the ground the circuit breaks when the metallic through peaceful towards Electromagnet and gets disconnected from the point .since there is no magnetism left an Electromagnet the spring pulls back the metallic stripped this cycle is repeated again and again in the electric bell which produces a ringing sound .that is why it is called as making brake circuit.
FAQs on Working of Electric Bell Explained
1. What is an electric bell and what is its working principle?
An electric bell is a signalling device that produces a continuous ringing sound when an electric current is applied. Its operation is based on the principle of electromagnetism, which states that an electric current flowing through a coil of wire can produce a temporary magnetic field. This magnetic effect is used to create a mechanical motion (a hammer striking a gong) to produce sound.
2. What are the key components of a standard electric bell?
The main parts of an electric bell and their functions are:
- Electromagnet: A U-shaped iron core with insulated copper wire coiled around it, which becomes a magnet when current flows.
- Soft Iron Armature: A small iron bar that is attracted by the electromagnet when it is active.
- Hammer: A metal striker attached to the armature that hits the gong.
- Gong: A metallic cup or bell that produces the sound when struck by the hammer.
- Contact Screw: A screw that the armature touches to complete the circuit, and moves away from to break the circuit.
- Switch and Power Source: A button to close the circuit and a battery or power supply to provide electricity.
3. How does an electric bell work step-by-step?
The working of an electric bell is a continuous cycle of making and breaking an electric circuit:
- When the switch is pressed, the electric circuit is completed, and current flows to the electromagnet.
- The electromagnet creates a magnetic field and attracts the soft iron armature towards it.
- As the armature moves, the attached hammer strikes the gong, producing a sound.
- This same movement pulls the armature away from the contact screw, breaking the circuit.
- The current stops, the electromagnet loses its magnetism, and a spring pulls the armature back to its original position.
- The armature touches the contact screw again, completing the circuit, and the cycle repeats as long as the switch is pressed.
4. What are some real-world examples and applications of electric bells?
The basic mechanism of the electric bell is used in many common devices. Some key examples include:
- Doorbells: The most common application in households.
- School Bells: Used to signal the start and end of classes.
- Fire Alarms: In older systems, this mechanism was used to create a loud, continuous warning sound.
- Industrial Alarms: Used in factories and plants to signal shift changes or emergency situations.
- Railroad Crossings: To provide an audible warning of an approaching train.
5. How does the electric bell demonstrate the magnetic effect of current?
The electric bell is a perfect demonstration of the magnetic effect of current. It shows that electricity and magnetism are linked. When current flows through the coil, it behaves like a magnet, attracting the iron armature. When the current is switched off, the magnetic property disappears instantly. This ability to switch a magnet on and off using electricity is the core principle that makes the bell's repeating action possible.
6. Why can't a permanent magnet be used instead of an electromagnet in an electric bell?
A permanent magnet cannot be used because its magnetic field is constant and cannot be switched off. If a permanent magnet were used, it would attract the iron armature and hammer, causing it to strike the gong just once. The hammer would then remain stuck to the magnet. The bell's continuous ringing relies on the electromagnet's ability to lose its magnetism the moment the circuit breaks, allowing the hammer to reset and repeat the cycle.
7. What is the importance of the contact screw in the bell's mechanism?
The contact screw acts as a crucial part of the automatic switch that makes the bell ring continuously. Its function is to complete the electrical circuit when the armature is in its resting position. When the electromagnet pulls the armature, the connection to the contact screw is broken. This interruption is what stops the current and deactivates the electromagnet, which is essential for the hammer to move back and forth.
8. What would happen if the spring attached to the armature was too weak or too strong?
The spring's tension is critical for the bell to function correctly.
- If the spring is too weak, it may not have enough force to pull the armature back to the contact screw after the electromagnet switches off. The bell would strike the gong once and then stop.
- If the spring is too strong, the electromagnet might not be powerful enough to overcome the spring's tension and pull the armature in. In this case, the bell would not ring at all, as the hammer would never strike the gong.
