1. What is Power in Electrical Systems?

Power in electrical systems represents the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit. It is measured in watts (W) and calculated using the fundamental relationship between voltage and current.

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)

Explanation: This formula represents the basic relationship in electrical circuits where power equals the product of voltage and current flowing through a component.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for circuit design, electrical safety, energy consumption analysis, and proper sizing of electrical components and wiring.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter voltage in volts and current in amperes. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between AC and DC power calculation?
A: For DC circuits, P = V × I directly. For AC circuits with resistive loads, it's the same, but with reactive loads, power factor must be considered.

Q2: How does power relate to energy consumption?
A: Energy consumption = Power × Time. For example, a 100W device running for 10 hours consumes 1 kilowatt-hour (kWh) of energy.

Q3: What are typical power ratings for household appliances?
A: LED bulb: 5-15W, Laptop: 50-100W, Refrigerator: 100-400W, Microwave: 600-1200W, Electric heater: 1000-2000W.

Q4: How do I calculate power for three-phase systems?
A: For three-phase systems: P = √3 × V × I × PF, where PF is the power factor (typically 0.8-0.9).

Q5: Why is power calculation important for electrical safety?
A: Knowing power consumption helps prevent circuit overloads, ensures proper wire sizing, and helps select appropriate circuit breakers and fuses.