Calculate power consumption of household devices:
Example: A refrigerator drawing 2A at 120V consumes P = 120V × 2A = 240W
Power calculations for industrial equipment:
Example: A 3-phase motor with line voltage 400V, current 12A, and power factor 0.85 consumes P = √3 × 400V × 12A × 0.85 = 7.06kW
Power calculations for renewable energy systems:
Example: A solar panel with 20V output and 5A current produces P = 20V × 5A = 100W
Power calculations for electronic circuits:
Example: A resistor with 10Ω resistance and 2A current dissipates P = I²R = 2²A × 10Ω = 40W
Electrical power (P) is the rate at which energy is used or produced in a circuit. It can be calculated using three equations depending on which quantities you know:
An electric bulb operates at 220 V and draws a current of 0.5 A. What is the power consumption?
Solution: P = 220 × 0.5 = 110 W
A resistor has a resistance of 10 Ω and a voltage of 20 V across it. What is the power dissipated?
Solution: P = 20² / 10 = 400 / 10 = 40 W
A resistor has a resistance of 8 Ω and a current of 2 A flows through it. What is the power dissipated?
Solution: P = 2² × 8 = 4 × 8 = 32 W
An AC device operates at 230 V, draws 5 A, and has a power factor of 0.85. What is the real power?
Solution: P = 230 × 5 × 0.85 = 977.5 W