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Electrical Power Formula:
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Electrical power is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit. It represents the amount of work done by an electrical system per unit time and is measured in watts (W).
The calculator uses the fundamental electrical power formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the power consumed or produced in an electrical circuit by multiplying the voltage across the circuit by the current flowing through it.
Details: Calculating electrical power is essential for circuit design, energy consumption analysis, electrical safety assessments, and determining the capacity requirements for electrical components and systems.
Tips: Enter voltage in volts and current in amperes. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero. The calculator will compute the electrical power in watts.
Q1: What is the difference between AC and DC power calculation?
A: For DC circuits, P = V × I directly. For AC circuits with resistive loads, it's the same, but with reactive loads, power factor must be considered (P = V × I × PF).
Q2: How is electrical power related to energy?
A: Energy is power multiplied by time (E = P × t). If a 100W device runs for 10 hours, it consumes 1000 watt-hours (1 kWh) of energy.
Q3: What are typical power ratings for household appliances?
A: LED bulb: 5-15W, Laptop: 50-100W, Microwave: 800-1500W, Electric kettle: 1500-3000W, Refrigerator: 100-400W.
Q4: Can this formula be used for three-phase systems?
A: For balanced three-phase systems, power is calculated as P = √3 × V × I × PF, where V is line voltage and I is line current.
Q5: What safety considerations are important when working with electrical power?
A: Always ensure circuits are properly rated for calculated power, use appropriate fuses/circuit breakers, and follow electrical safety protocols to prevent overheating and fire hazards.