1. What is a Power Calculator?

Definition: This calculator computes electrical power using voltage and current values.

Purpose: It helps electrical engineers, technicians, and hobbyists determine power consumption or generation in electrical circuits.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: This is the fundamental power equation in DC circuits and the real power component in AC circuits.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculations are essential for circuit design, energy efficiency analysis, and electrical safety.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does this work for AC circuits?
A: For AC circuits, this gives the real power when using RMS voltage and current values.

Q2: What's the difference between watts and volt-amps?
A: Watts represent real power, while volt-amps represent apparent power (which includes reactive power in AC circuits).

Q3: Can I calculate current if I know power and voltage?
A: Yes, use I = P/V. We may add this functionality in a future version.

Q4: What's a typical household voltage?
A: In North America it's 120V, while many other countries use 230V.

Q5: How does this relate to energy consumption?
A: Energy (kWh) = Power (kW) × Time (hours). Multiply the result by hours to estimate energy usage.