Electrical power refers to the rate at which electrical energy is consumed or produced. It is the amount of energy transferred or converted per unit of time. In the International System of Units (SI), the unit of electrical power is the watt (W), which is defined as one joule per second.
Mathematically, electrical power (P) is calculated using the formula:
=
P=VI
Where:
P is the power in watts (W)
V is the voltage or potential difference across the electrical component in volts (V)
I is the current flowing through the electrical component in amperes (A)
Alternatively, for devices with resistive elements, power can also be calculated using Ohm's law:
=
2
P=I
2
R
Where:
P is the power in watts (W)
I is the current flowing through the resistor in amperes (A)
R is the resistance of the resistor in ohms (Ω)
Electrical power is a fundamental concept in electrical engineering and physics. It's used to describe how much work can be done or how much energy is transferred or converted in a given period of time in electrical circuits and devices. In practical terms, understanding power is crucial for designing, operating, and optimizing electrical systems and appliances.