Rated current and full load current are both important specifications related to the capacity of electrical devices, but they represent slightly different aspects:

Rated Current:

• The rated current of an electrical device, also sometimes referred to as nominal current, is the maximum current it is designed to carry continuously without exceeding its temperature limits or otherwise damaging the device.
• It's a specified value by the manufacturer and is typically found on a nameplate attached to the device or listed in its datasheet.
• The rated current is a key factor for selecting appropriate circuit protection devices like fuses and circuit breakers. These protective devices should be rated to handle the maximum current the device can draw under normal operation (rated current) and interrupt the circuit if the current exceeds that limit.

Full Load Current:

• The full load current refers to the actual current drawn by an electrical device when it's operating under maximum rated load conditions.
• In other words, it's the current the device will draw when it's working at its full capacity.
• For most electrical devices, the full load current will be equal to or very close to the rated current. This is because the device is designed to operate efficiently at its rated capacity.

Here's a table summarizing the key differences:

Examples:

• A motor might have a rated current of 10 amps. This means it's designed to handle a continuous current of 10 amps without overheating. If the motor is running a machine at full capacity, the full load current will likely be around 10 amps (assuming it's operating efficiently).
• A power supply might have a rated current of 5 amps. If it's powering a device that only draws 3 amps, the full load current will be 3 amps (which is less than the rated current).

In conclusion:

• Rated current is a fixed limit set by the manufacturer, while full load current depends on the actual operating conditions.
• Ideally, the full load current should be close to the rated current for efficient operation. Deviations from this can indicate inefficiencies or overloading.