1. What is Electrical Power?

Electrical power is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit. The SI unit of power is the watt (W), which equals one joule per second. It represents how much work can be done with the electrical current.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the basic power formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: This formula is derived from Ohm's Law and represents the fundamental relationship between voltage, current, and power in electrical circuits.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Calculating power is essential for designing electrical systems, determining energy consumption, selecting appropriate circuit 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: What's the difference between AC and DC power calculations?
A: For DC circuits, power is simply P = V × I. For AC circuits, you need to consider power factor (P = V × I × PF).

Q2: How does this relate to energy consumption?
A: Energy is power multiplied by time (E = P × t). For example, a 100W device running for 10 hours consumes 1kWh.

Q3: What are typical household voltages?
A: In North America, 120V is standard for most outlets. In Europe and many other countries, 230V is standard.

Q4: How can I measure current and voltage?
A: Use a multimeter - connect in parallel to measure voltage, in series to measure current (with power off when changing configuration).

Q5: What safety precautions should I take?
A: Always turn off power when working on circuits, use insulated tools, and never exceed component ratings for voltage/current.