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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 electricity per unit time and is measured in watts (W).
The calculator uses the fundamental electrical power formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula calculates the power consumption or generation in an electrical circuit by multiplying the voltage across the circuit by the current flowing through it.
Details: Calculating electrical power is essential for designing electrical systems, determining energy consumption, sizing electrical components, and ensuring electrical safety in residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
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 for reactive loads, power factor must be considered (P = V × I × PF).
Q2: How is electrical power related to energy consumption?
A: Energy consumption = Power × Time. For example, a 100W device running for 10 hours consumes 1,000 watt-hours (1 kWh) of energy.
Q3: What are typical power ratings for household appliances?
A: LED bulb: 5-15W, Laptop: 50-100W, Refrigerator: 100-400W, Microwave: 800-1500W, Electric heater: 1500-3000W.
Q4: Can this formula be used for three-phase systems?
A: For balanced three-phase systems, use 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 wire sizes, install correct fuses or circuit breakers, and follow electrical safety codes.