When performing any actions related to the maintenance of the electrical circuit, it is necessary to know the power of the load on the network. To determine such a macroparameter of the network, it is necessary to most accurately set the value of the power consumption of all and specifically each of the electrical devices. This indicator is indicated on the device or in its technical documents.
Content
- Characteristics of quantities
- Electricity consumption
- Calculations on the Internet
- Devices for determining power
Characteristics of quantities
Electric current is the constant movement of charged particles in a conductor. Each charged particle has its own charge, measured in specific units.
The strength of the current is the total value of the charge of all particles that pass through the conductor through a certain area of it per unit of time. The value is measured in amperes.
Voltage is a physical quantity characterized by an electric field that creates an electric current. The unit of measurement for voltage is volts.
If you multiply the current by the voltage, you get a value that characterizes the power. Its unit of measurement is Watt. For example, if you need to determine what the power of electrical energy with an electric current of 4 amperes with a voltage of 200 volts, you just need to multiply these numbers. As a result, it turns out that the power of the electrical circuit in this section is 800 watts.
Another unit is also used for measurement - volt-ampere.
In order to determine the power of an electrical appliance, it is not necessary to use special devices. Indeed, as a rule, these parameters are always indicated in the documentation supplied with the device. In addition, they are often written on the device itself.
Also, approximate voltage and current values can be found in special reference books. There, for example, it is indicated that household lighting devices must have a current strength of about 15 amperes. And powerful appliances that are used in everyday life can have a current strength of over 50 amperes. The mains voltage should almost always be 220 volts.
Since power is determined by a simple mathematical multiplication method, you can use the reverse procedure to find the values of other current characteristics. For example, if you know the power and voltage, you can determine the amperage. And if you know the current and power, you can determine the voltage.
Often, numerous owners of electrical appliances are wondering how the current strength is calculated if the power and voltage values are known. For example, if the power is 40 watts and the voltage is 20 volts, you can use the division method to find out that the current in the circuit is 2 amperes.
Electricity consumption
Calculation of power consumption is an important procedure, since electricity is paid for precisely according to this indicator. The more energy the appliance consumes, the more you have to pay. But in everyday life, not watts are used for measurement, but kilowatts. In one kilowatt, 1 thousand. watt.
The nominal value assumes the value necessary for the normal functioning of the device, for example:
- For a conventional refrigerator, this parameter is 0.5 kilowatts. In order to save energy, it is important to be able to carry out complete calculations. That is, it is important to know the total power of all current consumers in the house.
- When using two lighting fixtures with 80 watts and 20 watts, it is possible to assess the economic feasibility of buying the lamp with the smallest value. If both devices work for the same amount of time, then the first will consume four times more electricity. Consequently, you will also have to pay 4 times more for it.
However, there are many electrical appliances in the house of a modern person. These are not only light bulbs, so determining the total value is somewhat more difficult. You need to know the size of each device and its operating time.
To reduce financial costs, many install special energy-saving lamps. It should be borne in mind that some electrical appliances are capable of consuming energy even when they are not working, but at the same time they are not disconnected from the network.
Calculations on the Internet
Mathematical calculations can be simplified by using a special online calculator in the Internet. There are many of them on the World Wide Web. Their use is simplified as much as possible: you need to enter the current and voltage values in special fields, and then click on the "Calculate" button. After that, a number indicating the power will appear on the screen. However, online calculators are only half the complexity.
When using them, you do not have to count anything, but at the same time determine current and voltage need yourself. There are sites on which you can find tables with the given values of the power consumption of frequently used appliances: refrigerators, computers or washing machines.
Devices for determining power
To find the value, you can use special devices called wattmeters. When connected to the power grid, they do not measure power, but current and voltage. They have a built-in calculator that instantly multiplies the numbers obtained, and then displays the result on the screen.
How to use a wattmeter? You need to insert the device into an outlet, and then insert the plug of the device whose power you want to determine into the device itself. After a few seconds, the wattmeter screen will display numbers that characterize the desired indicator.
The rear panel of a wattmeter usually has a compartment for batteries, which may come with the device itself. Next to this compartment is a plate with information about the device itself. The plug for the power outlet is usually located on the rear panel. The external panel of the wattmeter is represented by a screen and several control keys. There is also an outlet for switching on electrical appliances.
If the wattmeter is plugged in, the display shows three information lines. Two of them are digital and one is graphic. The "Value" button is necessary for switching and for defining parameters. With its help, you can give commands to the device so that it determines the voltage or current.
Measure the characteristics of electric current can also be done with pliers and testers. They differ from a wattmeter in that they need to be wound by the wires of the device, and not plugged into an outlet. This way you can easily measure the current that flows through the device.
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