1. What is the Power Equation?

The power equation (P = V × I) relates electrical power (watts) to voltage (volts) and current (amps). It's a fundamental equation in electrical engineering and physics that describes how much energy is being transferred in an electrical circuit.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the power equation:

Where:

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

Explanation: The equation shows that power is directly proportional to both voltage and current. Doubling either voltage or current will double the power.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Calculating power is essential for designing electrical systems, determining energy consumption, selecting appropriate wiring and components, and ensuring electrical safety.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I calculate current if I know power and voltage?
A: Yes, you can rearrange the equation: \( I = P / V \). This is useful for determining how much current a device will draw.

Q2: What's the difference between watts and volt-amps?
A: For DC circuits or purely resistive AC loads, they are the same. For reactive loads, volt-amps may be higher than watts due to power factor.

Q3: How does this relate to energy consumption?
A: Energy is power multiplied by time. For example, a 100W device running for 10 hours consumes 1,000 watt-hours (1 kWh) of energy.

Q4: What are typical household voltages?
A: In North America, 120V is standard for most outlets. In Europe and many other countries, 230V is standard. Large appliances may use 240V.

Q5: How does this equation apply to three-phase power?
A: For balanced three-phase systems, power is \( P = \sqrt{3} \times V_{line} \times I_{line} \times \text{power factor} \).