Question

How is electrical power calculated?

Answer 1

Electrical power is calculated using the formula:

\[
P = V \times I
\]

Where:

1. P is the power (in watts, W)
   

1. V is the voltage (in volts, V)
   

1. I is the current (in amperes, A)
   

Types of Power:

1. Active Power (Real Power): The power that actually does useful work, measured in watts (W).
   

   - Formula: \(P = V \times I \times \cos(\theta)\), where \(\theta\) is the phase angle between voltage and current.
   

1. Reactive Power: The power that alternates between the source and load but doesn't do any useful work, measured in volt-amperes reactive (VAR).
   

   - Formula: \(Q = V \times I \times \sin(\theta)\)

1. Apparent Power: The total power supplied to the circuit, both active and reactive, measured in volt-amperes (VA).
   

   - Formula: \(S = V \times I\)

In AC Circuits:

For alternating current (AC), power calculation can also involve the power factor (\(\cos(\theta)\)), which takes into account the phase difference between voltage and current.

Would you like more details on any of these?