Electric power is the rate at which electrical energy is converted into another form of energy—such as heat, light, or mechanical motion—within an electric circuit. In simple words, it tells us how fast electrical energy is being used or produced over a period of time.
- Symbol: P
- SI Unit: Watt (W)
One watt of power means one joule of energy is transferred per second.
Formula of Electric Power
The basic formula for electric power is:P=V×IP = V \times IP=V×I
Electric power Where:
- P = Power (in watts, W)
- V = Potential difference or voltage (in volts, V)
- I = Electric current (in amperes, A)
Electric Power Explanation
This formula means that the electric power in a circuit depends on both the voltage supplied and the current flowing through it.
- If voltage increases while current remains constant, power increases.
- If current increases while voltage remains constant, power also increases.
In practical terms, electric power tells us how much energy an electrical device (like a bulb, fan, or motor) consumes or delivers per second.
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What is Electric Power?
Electric power is the rate at which electrical energy is converted into another form of energy—such as light, heat, or motion—within an electrical circuit.
Simply put, it measures how quickly electrical energy is used or generated over time.
- Symbol: P
- SI Unit: Watt (W)
One watt equals one joule of energy transferred per second.
Formula of Electric Power
The standard formula for electric power is:P=V×IP = V \times IP=V×I
where:
- P = Power (in watts, W)
- V = Voltage (in volts, V)
- I = Current (in amperes, A)
Explanation
Electric power depends on both the voltage applied and the current flowing through a circuit.
- Higher voltage or current means more power is delivered.
- Devices like bulbs, heaters, and motors convert this electrical power into usable forms of energy.
Power is a crucial factor in designing electrical systems and choosing the right components for efficiency and safety.
Types of Electric Power
Electric power in AC (Alternating Current) circuits is classified into three main types:
1. Active Power (Real Power)
Active Power is the actual power consumed by electrical devices to perform useful work such as lighting, heating, or mechanical motion.
- Symbol: P
- Measured in: Watts (W)
- Formula: P=V×I×cos(ϕ)P = V \times I \times \cos(\phi)P=V×I×cos(ϕ) where ϕ (phi) is the phase angle between current and voltage.
Example: Power used by a light bulb or electric heater.
2. Reactive Power
Reactive Power does not perform any real work but is necessary to maintain the electric and magnetic fields in inductive or capacitive equipment such as motors, transformers, and fans.
- Symbol: Q
- Measured in: Volt-Ampere Reactive (VAR)
- Formula: Q=V×I×sin(ϕ)Q = V \times I \times \sin(\phi)Q=V×I×sin(ϕ)
Example: Power used in the magnetic field of an electric motor.
3. Apparent Power
Apparent Power is the combination of both Active and Reactive Power. It represents the total power flowing in an AC circuit.
- Symbol: S
- Measured in: Volt-Ampere (VA)
- Formula: S=V×IS = V \times IS=V×I or S=P2+Q2S = \sqrt{P^2 + Q^2}S=P2+Q2
Example: The total power capacity required to run both resistive and inductive loads.
⚡ Power Factor
The ratio of Active Power to Apparent Power is called the Power Factor (PF):Power Factor=PS=cos(ϕ)\text{Power Factor} = \frac{P}{S} = \cos(\phi)Power Factor=SP=cos(ϕ)
A high power factor means efficient energy usage, while a low power factor indicates wastage due to reactive components.
🌟 In Summary
| Type of Power | Symbol | Formula | Unit | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Power | P | V × I × cos(ϕ) | Watt (W) | Useful work power |
| Reactive Power | Q | V × I × sin(ϕ) | VAR | Power in fields |
| Apparent Power | S | √(P² + Q²) | VA | Total power supplied |