Electrical Power

Power (P) is a measure of the rate of doing work. Electrical power is the rate at which electricity is producedor consumed. Using the water pipe analogy, electric power is the combination of the water pressure (voltage)and the rate of flow (current) that results in the ability to do work.

A large pipe carries more water (current) than a small pipe. Water that travels through a pipe with a large height has much greater force (voltage) than one with a small height. Look at the pictures below. The power of water flowing through the left pipe is much less than the water flowing through the right pipe.

Electrical power is defined as the amount of electric current flowing due to an applied voltage. Electrical power is measured in watts (W). The formula is: Power (W) = Voltage (V) x Current (A)

You can get the same watts with high voltage and low current, or with low voltage and high current. This is the same as having a large pipe with low pressure, or a small pipe with high pressure.