1. What is the Watt Formula?

The Watt Formula calculates electrical power in watts using voltage, current, and power factor. It's fundamental in electrical engineering for determining power consumption in AC and DC circuits.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Watt 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, power factor is 1. For AC circuits, power factor accounts for phase difference between voltage and current.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Calculating power is essential for circuit design, energy consumption estimation, electrical safety, and proper sizing of electrical components.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter voltage in volts, current in amperes, and power factor (1 for DC circuits). All values must be valid (voltage > 0, current > 0, power factor between 0-1).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between real power and apparent power?
A: Real power (watts) is actual consumed power, while apparent power (VA) is the product of voltage and current. Power factor is the ratio between them.

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: How does this relate to energy consumption?
A: Energy (kWh) is power (kW) multiplied by time (hours). This calculator gives instantaneous power.

Q4: What's typical power factor for household appliances?
A: Resistive loads (heaters, incandescent lights) have PF=1. Motors typically have PF=0.8-0.9. Electronics often have lower PF (0.6-0.7).

Q5: Can I use this for three-phase power?
A: For balanced three-phase systems, multiply by √3 (use \( P = \sqrt{3} \times V \times I \times PF \)).