1. What is the Power Formula?

The power formula (P = V × I × PF) calculates electrical power in watts from voltage, current, and power factor. It's fundamental in electrical engineering and power system analysis.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the power formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Power in watts (W)
• \( V \) — Voltage in volts (V)
• \( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, 0 to 1)

Explanation: For DC circuits or purely resistive AC loads, power factor is 1. For AC circuits with reactive components, power factor accounts for phase difference between voltage and current.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for circuit design, energy consumption estimation, electrical safety, and proper equipment sizing.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter voltage in volts, current in amps, and power factor (1 for DC or resistive AC loads). All values must be valid (voltage > 0, current > 0, 0 ≤ PF ≤ 1).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is power factor?
A: Power factor is the ratio of real power to apparent power, representing how effectively current is converted to useful work (1 = perfect efficiency).

Q2: When is power factor not 1?
A: In AC circuits with inductive or capacitive loads (motors, transformers, etc.), where current and voltage waveforms are out of phase.

Q3: What's the difference between real and apparent power?
A: Real power (watts) does actual work, while apparent power (VA) is the product of V and I. Their ratio is the power factor.

Q4: How does this relate to energy consumption?
A: Energy (kWh) is power (kW) multiplied by time (hours). Accurate power calculation helps estimate energy use and costs.

Q5: Why is power calculation important for safety?
A: It helps prevent circuit overloads by ensuring wires and components can handle the calculated power levels.