Electrical power

It is the rate at which energy is converted in an

electric circuit or appliance.

The power dissipated in a device is equal to the
product of the potential difference across the device
and the current flowing through it i.e. P = VI

Electrical power is measured in watts (W).

Simple power calculation
1
Electrical power
Written on the bulb is: 220 V & 100 W
The 100 W indicates the electrical power
of the globe.
Power is the rate at which electrical work is done, or the
rate at which energy is transferred to the bulb.
Using the energy equations we can deduce the power
equations:
P =
E
t
P = VI
P = I
2
Rt
P =
V
2
R
Most pieces of electrical equipment have the potential
difference and the power required written on the back
or underneath the apparatus.
E = Pt
2
Electrical energy equations
V
Energy is transferred to the lamp & equals
work done in moving charge against the
resistance of the lamp filament.
The potential difference is V, the current is
I & Q charge passing through.
Using the equations W = VQ, Q = It & V = IR
We can deduce the energy equations:
W = VIt
W = I
2
Rt
W =
V
2
t
R
These equations can be use to
determine the electrical energy
transferred to an object in a
given time interval.
Power equations
3
Units of electrical energy
As in the case of mechanical energy, electrical
energy is also measured in joule.

1joule = 1watt1second
To heat 1,0 litre of water in a kettle from 15
0
C to
100
0
C, requires 357 000 J of energy, if the kettle
has a 2000 W element. This is a lot of energy!
Calculate how long it would
take the kettle to boil the
water.
Power rating for appliances
4
Usage & cost of electrical energy
Energy is provided and measured in kilowatt
hour (kWh). This refers to the use of 1 kilowatt
(1000 watt) in 1 hour.

If the cost of 1 kWh is known, you can find the
cost to run a kettle or other piece of apparatus.
Old style electrical meter.
The cost of electricity
is rising rapidly in
South Africa and will
continue to do so in
the future!
Measuring kWhrs
5