Explaining power in laymans

Discussion in 'A+' started by Bambino1506, Apr 15, 2007.

  1. Bambino1506

    Bambino1506 Megabyte Poster

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    Sup guys

    Was trying to make head or tail of Volts,Amps,Watts, Ohms so thought I'd type out little Laymans explanations to help me remember.

    Power


    Volts: Potential amount of current, e.g. UK socket has the potential to supply a device with 240 volts.

    Amps: The actual measurement of the current going through the device.

    Watts: The measurement of the overall power a device is using

    Ohms: The resistance offered by a wire, e.g. a fat wire provides lower resistance than a thin wire.

    Watts = Amps X Volts

    Amps = Watts/Volts

    Volts = Watts/Amps

    Ohms = Volts squared/watts or watts/amps squared
     
    Certifications: MCP,MCDST,MCSA
    WIP: CCA
  2. Boycie
    Honorary Member

    Boycie Senior Beer Tester

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    I use the V I R triangle. V = Voltage, I = Current, R = Resistance


    V
    I R
     
    Certifications: MCSA 2003, MCDST, A+, N+, CTT+, MCT
  3. Bambino1506

    Bambino1506 Megabyte Poster

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    Very Helpful Boyce, thankyou :D :)
     
    Certifications: MCP,MCDST,MCSA
    WIP: CCA
  4. robbo1962

    robbo1962 Byte Poster

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  5. Boycie
    Honorary Member

    Boycie Senior Beer Tester

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    Thanks for the link Robbo - it's nothing to do with me. :thumbleft

    Boyce
     
    Certifications: MCSA 2003, MCDST, A+, N+, CTT+, MCT
  6. Bluerinse
    Honorary Member

    Bluerinse Exabyte Poster

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    Hmm, Boyce you need a new meter mate :blink :biggrin

    If you measure the mains voltage you should read a constant voltage of around 240 volts AC. Some places are slightly higher or lower because of the distances from power stations and other factors. If the voltage were fluctuating as you say, your electrical devices would be going haywire.

    Volts is the voltage measured between two different places, it can be a potential difference, for example, the voltage drop across a resistor, in other words it is not always the supply voltage but it could be. Voltage is not a measurement of flow of electricity but rather the potential at which it is present.

    Amps is a measurement of the flow of electrons in a circuit ie the current.

    Watts is a measurement of dissipated power, which is energy usually lost in heat, light etc.

    In a simple series circuit Ohms law states that the current will be directly proportional to the voltage (ie if the voltage doubles the current will double) and inversely proportional to the resistance (ie if the resistance doubles the current will halve).
     
    Certifications: C&G Electronics - MCSA (W2K) MCSE (W2K)

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