Electrical Power Formula:
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Electrical power is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit. The SI unit of power is the watt, one joule per second. It's a fundamental concept in electrical engineering and physics.
The calculator uses the basic power equation:
Where:
Explanation: This equation shows that power is directly proportional to both voltage and current in a circuit.
Details: Calculating electrical power is essential for designing electrical systems, determining energy consumption, sizing components, and ensuring electrical safety.
Tips: Enter voltage in volts and current in amps. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the power in watts.
Q1: What's the difference between power and energy?
A: Power is the rate of energy transfer (watts), while energy is power multiplied by time (watt-hours).
Q2: Can I calculate power for AC circuits with this?
A: This simple formula works for DC circuits. For AC, you need to consider power factor (P = V × I × PF).
Q3: What are typical household appliance power ratings?
A: LED bulb: 5-15W, Laptop: 50W, Microwave: 800-1500W, Refrigerator: 100-400W.
Q4: How does power relate to heat generation?
A: Power dissipation in resistors converts to heat (P = I²R), important for component sizing and cooling.
Q5: What's the relationship between power and battery life?
A: Battery life (hours) = Battery capacity (Wh) / Power consumption (W).