Power Formula:
From: | To: |
Definition: This calculator determines electrical power in watts using the fundamental relationship between voltage and current.
Purpose: It helps electricians, engineers, and students understand and calculate power consumption in electrical circuits.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: Electrical power is simply the product of voltage and current in a circuit.
Details: Understanding power calculations helps in designing electrical systems, selecting proper components, and ensuring safety.
Tips: Enter the voltage in volts and current in amperes. Both values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What exactly is a watt?
A: A watt is the SI unit of power, representing one joule of energy per second.
Q2: Can I use this for AC circuits?
A: This formula works for DC circuits. For AC, you need to consider power factor (P = V × I × PF).
Q3: How does this relate to energy bills?
A: Energy companies bill by kilowatt-hours (kWh), which is power (kW) multiplied by time (hours).
Q4: What's a typical household current?
A: Most household circuits in the US are 15-20 amps at 120 volts (1800-2400 watts).
Q5: How do I measure voltage and current?
A: Use a multimeter - set to volts for voltage measurement and amps (in series) for current.