Electrical Power Calculator
Calculate power consumption, energy usage, and costs based on voltage and current inputs.
Additional Information and Definitions
Voltage
Enter the voltage (V) of your electrical system. Common values are 120V or 240V for residential systems in Canada.
Current
Enter the current (A) flowing through your circuit. This can be measured with an ammeter or found on device specifications.
Power Factor
Enter the power factor (0-1). For DC circuits or resistive loads, use 1.0. For AC circuits with inductive/capacitive loads, use the specified power factor.
Duration (hours)
Enter the time duration in hours to calculate total energy consumption.
Rate per kWh
Enter your electricity rate per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Check your utility bill for this rate.
Power & Energy Analysis
Get instant calculations for electrical power, energy consumption, and associated costs.
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Electrical Power Terms Explained
Understanding these key electrical power concepts will help you make better decisions about energy usage and cost management.
Power Factor:
The ratio of real power to apparent power in AC circuits, ranging from 0 to 1. A power factor of 1 indicates all power is being used effectively, while lower values indicate energy inefficiency.
Real Power (Watts):
The actual power consumed by an electrical device, measured in watts (W). This is the power that performs useful work and is what you're billed for on your electricity bill.
Apparent Power (VA):
The product of voltage and current in an AC circuit, measured in volt-amperes (VA). This represents the total power supplied by the source, including both useful and reactive power.
Kilowatt-hour (kWh):
A unit of energy equal to 1,000 watt-hours, commonly used for billing electrical energy consumption. One kWh represents the energy used by a 1,000-watt device running for one hour.
5 Mind-Blowing Facts About Electrical Power
1.The Birth of Modern Electricity
Thomas Edison's first power plant, the Pearl Street Station, opened in 1882 and powered just 400 lamps. Today, a single modern power plant can power millions of homes, showcasing the incredible advancement in electrical power generation and distribution.
2.Power Consumption in Modern Homes
The average Canadian home uses about 30 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day - enough energy to drive an electric car for about 100 miles. This consumption has tripled since the 1950s due to the increasing number of electronic devices in our homes.
3.The Impact of Power Factor
Power factor correction in industrial settings can lead to significant cost savings. Some companies have reduced their electricity bills by up to 20% just by improving their power factor, demonstrating the importance of efficient power usage.
4.Nature's Electrical Power
Lightning strikes contain enormous electrical power - a single bolt can contain up to 1 billion volts and 300,000 amperes. That's enough power to light up 100 million LED bulbs instantaneously!
5.Evolution of Power Transmission
The world's first power transmission line in 1891 was just 175 kilometers long. Today, Canada has built ultra-high voltage power lines that can transmit electricity over 3,000 kilometers with minimal losses, revolutionizing power distribution.