1. What is Power in Watts?

Definition: Power is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit, measured in watts (W).

Purpose: This calculator helps determine the power consumption or generation in electrical systems using basic electrical principles.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the fundamental power formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Power in watts (W)
• \( V \) — Voltage in volts (V)
• \( I \) — Current in amperes (A)

Explanation: Power is simply the product of voltage and current in a DC circuit or in the instantaneous power of an AC circuit.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Calculating power helps in designing electrical systems, determining energy consumption, sizing components, and ensuring electrical safety.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the voltage in volts and current in amperes. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does this formula work for AC circuits?
A: This gives instantaneous power in AC circuits. For average power in AC, you need to consider power factor (P = V × I × PF).

Q2: What's a typical voltage for household appliances?
A: In most countries, standard household voltage is either 120V or 230V.

Q3: How does power relate to energy?
A: Energy is power multiplied by time (E = P × t). 1 watt-hour equals 3600 joules.

Q4: What's the difference between watts and volt-amperes?
A: Watts represent real power, while volt-amperes represent apparent power (only equal in DC circuits or AC circuits with unity power factor).

Q5: How can I measure voltage and current?
A: Use a multimeter - connect in parallel for voltage measurement and in series for current measurement.