1. What is Electrical Power?

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).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the fundamental electrical power formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: This formula calculates the power consumption or generation in a DC circuit or the real power in an AC circuit with resistive loads.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for circuit design, energy consumption analysis, electrical safety assessments, and proper sizing of electrical components and systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter voltage in volts and current in amperes. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the electrical power in watts.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between AC and DC power calculation?
A: For DC circuits, P = V × I directly. For AC circuits with reactive components, apparent power is S = V × I, while real power considers power factor.

Q2: What are typical power ratings for household appliances?
A: LED bulbs: 5-20W, Laptop: 50-100W, Refrigerator: 100-400W, Microwave: 600-1200W, Electric heater: 1000-2000W.

Q3: How does power relate to energy consumption?
A: Energy (kWh) = Power (kW) × Time (hours). Power is the rate, energy is the total consumption over time.

Q4: What safety considerations are important for power calculations?
A: Ensure circuits are properly rated for calculated power, use appropriate wire gauges, and install proper circuit protection devices.

Q5: Can this formula be used for three-phase systems?
A: For balanced three-phase systems, power = √3 × V × I × power factor, where V is line voltage and I is line current.