1. What Is Electrical Power?

Electrical power is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit. It represents how much work can be done by an electrical system in a given time and is measured in watts (W).

2. How To Calculate Power Using Basic Calculator

The fundamental power formula is:

Where:

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

Calculation Steps: Simply multiply the voltage value by the current value using any basic calculator to get the power in watts.

3. Importance Of Power Calculation

Details: Calculating electrical power is essential for circuit design, energy consumption analysis, electrical safety assessments, and determining the capacity requirements for electrical components and systems.

4. Using The Calculator

Tips: Enter voltage in volts and current in amperes. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will automatically compute the power in watts using the basic multiplication operation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I use this formula for AC and DC circuits?
A: This basic formula works for DC circuits and AC circuits with purely resistive loads. For AC circuits with reactive components, power factor must be considered.

Q2: What are typical power values for household appliances?
A: LED bulbs: 5-20W, Laptop: 50-100W, Refrigerator: 100-400W, Microwave: 800-1500W, Electric heater: 1000-2000W.

Q3: How do I calculate energy consumption from power?
A: Energy (kWh) = Power (kW) × Time (hours). First convert watts to kilowatts by dividing by 1000.

Q4: What if I only know resistance and current?
A: You can use P = I² × R, where R is resistance in ohms. This is derived from combining Ohm's law with the power formula.

Q5: Are there other power formulas I should know?
A: Yes, common variations include P = V²/R (when you know voltage and resistance) and P = I² × R (when you know current and resistance).