Electrical power

Description of how to calculate electrical power


Electrical power in a circuit is the energy that is absorbed or generated in the circuit. The symbol for electric power is \(P\).

The electrical power is calculated from the voltage multiplied by the current. The unit of measurement of electrical power is Watt \(W\).

The dependency can be defined as:

\(\displaystyle Power=Voltage · Current\)       \(\displaystyle P=U · I\)

By definition, the power P = 1W, if the voltage U = 1V (Volt) and the current 1A (Amper).

\(1W=1V·1A\)

With Ohm's lawz \(U = I ยท R\) the formula for the electric power can be changed as followsn:

\(\displaystyle P=(I·R)·I=I^2·R\)
\(\displaystyle P=U·\frac{U}{R}=\frac{U^2}{R}\)

Example


The power of a consumer is calculated at 230 volts and a current of 8 amperes.

\(\displaystyle P=U · I = 230 · 8 = 1840\; Watt\)

Power online calculator →



Resistor and Conductance
Ohm`s Law
Specific Resistance
Voltage Drop
Power

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