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 the fundamental 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 instantaneous power in an AC circuit.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for circuit design, energy consumption analysis, electrical safety, 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 greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between DC and AC power calculation?
A: For DC circuits, P = V × I directly. For AC circuits with resistive loads, P = V × I, but for reactive loads, power factor must be considered.

Q2: How is power related to energy?
A: Power is the rate of energy transfer. Energy (in watt-hours) = Power (in watts) × Time (in hours).

Q3: What are typical power ratings for household appliances?
A: LED bulb: 5-15W, Laptop: 50-100W, Refrigerator: 100-400W, Microwave: 600-1200W, Electric heater: 1000-2000W.

Q4: Can this formula be used for three-phase systems?
A: For balanced three-phase systems, use P = √3 × V × I × power factor, where V is line voltage and I is line current.

Q5: Why is power calculation important for electrical safety?
A: It helps determine proper wire sizing, circuit breaker ratings, and prevents overloading that could lead to fire hazards.