Electrical Power Formula:
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Definition: This calculator determines the electrical power in watts based on voltage (volts) and current (amps) using Ohm's Law.
Purpose: It helps electricians, engineers, and DIY enthusiasts calculate power consumption or generation in electrical circuits.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: Electrical power is simply the product of voltage and current in a DC circuit or purely resistive AC circuit.
Details: Accurate power calculations are essential for circuit design, selecting proper wire gauges, choosing circuit breakers, and estimating energy consumption.
Tips: Enter the voltage in volts and current in amps. Both values must be positive numbers. The result will be displayed in watts.
Q1: Does this work for AC circuits?
A: This formula works for DC circuits and AC circuits with purely resistive loads. For reactive loads, you need to consider power factor.
Q2: What's the difference between volts and watts?
A: Volts measure electrical potential, while watts measure power (rate of energy transfer).
Q3: How do I find current if I know watts and volts?
A: Use I = P/V. Our calculator can be used in reverse by entering two known values.
Q4: What's a typical voltage for household appliances?
A: In North America, 120V is standard, while many other countries use 230V.
Q5: How does this relate to kilowatt-hours?
A: Kilowatt-hours = (watts × hours used) ÷ 1000. This is how electricity consumption is billed.