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 or energy consumed per unit time in an electrical system.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses two fundamental power equations:

Where:

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

Explanation: The first equation calculates power using voltage and current, while the second calculates power using voltage and resistance based on Ohm's Law.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for circuit design, energy consumption analysis, electrical safety, and determining appropriate component ratings in electronic systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter voltage in volts, and either current in amperes OR resistance in ohms. The calculator will automatically use the appropriate formula based on the provided inputs.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Which formula should I use?
A: Use P = V × I if you know both voltage and current. Use P = V²/R if you know voltage and resistance but not current.

Q2: What are typical power values?
A: Power values range from milliwatts (mW) in small electronics to kilowatts (kW) in household appliances and megawatts (MW) in industrial applications.

Q3: How does power relate to energy consumption?
A: Energy consumption = Power × Time. For example, a 100W device running for 10 hours consumes 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy.

Q4: What is the difference between AC and DC power?
A: For DC circuits, power is simply P = V × I. For AC circuits, power calculations involve power factor and may use RMS values for voltage and current.

Q5: Why is power calculation important in circuit design?
A: Proper power calculation ensures components are not overloaded, prevents overheating, and helps design efficient power supplies and thermal management systems.