Watts to Amps Formula:
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The formula \( I = \frac{P}{V} \) is used to calculate electric current (in amperes) from power (in watts) and voltage (in volts). This is a fundamental equation in electrical engineering and physics.
The calculator uses the simple formula:
Where:
Explanation: The current flowing through a circuit is equal to the power divided by the voltage. This is derived from the basic power formula \( P = IV \).
Details: Calculating current is essential for circuit design, selecting appropriate wire gauges, choosing circuit breakers, and ensuring electrical safety in both residential and industrial applications.
Tips: Enter power in watts and voltage in volts. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the current in amperes.
Q1: Can I use this for both AC and DC circuits?
A: For DC circuits, use the values directly. For AC circuits, this gives RMS current if you use RMS voltage and real power (not apparent power).
Q2: What if my power is in kilowatts?
A: Convert kilowatts to watts by multiplying by 1000 before using the calculator (1 kW = 1000 W).
Q3: Does this account for power factor?
A: No, this simple formula doesn't account for power factor. For AC circuits with reactive components, use \( I = \frac{P}{V \times PF} \) where PF is power factor.
Q4: What's the difference between amps and watts?
A: Amps measure current (flow of electrons), while watts measure power (rate of energy consumption or production).
Q5: How do I calculate amps from watts and ohms?
A: If you know resistance (R) instead of voltage, use \( I = \sqrt{\frac{P}{R}} \) (derived from \( P = I^2R \)).