Contents: Watts Simple Definition
What Is Watts in Simple Words?
Prerequisite
Before you can understand what a watt is, please make sure you read my very short, easy-to-read article: What Is an Electric Circuit?
Then, come back to EASILY understand the bare-bone basics about watts.
To understand what a Watt is, you must first understand what voltage is (measured in volts) and what an electrical current is (measured in amps).
Voltage (Volts)
Electricity is caused by the movement of electrons in an electrical circuit.
In a circuit, in order to move an electron from one point (negative) of the power source to the other point (positive), you need something to push them along the circuit. This electrical push/pressure is called voltage.
The greater the voltage, the greater the flow of electrons through an electrical conductor.
So, in other words, voltage just measures how strongly electricity is being pushed through a circuit.
Voltage is measured in Volts (V).
Many circuits are designed to only accept a certain number of volts.
Electrical Current (Amps)
The electrical current is the unit of how many electrons move past a given point per second through a conductor.
This current is measured in Amps (A) or (I).
What Is a Watt in Electricity?
Power is measured in Watts
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To calculate watts, you need to know two things: volts and amps. Volts are a measure of the force of electricity, and amps measure the flow of electricity.
Formula to get watts:
Multiply volts and amps, and you get watts.
P (WATTS) = A (AMPS) x V (VOLTS)
Watts gives you a good idea of how much power something is using (like a fridge, lamp, TV, etc), how much power something is generating (like a solar panel or wind turbine), or how much power can be stored in a battery.
In other words, Watts tells you how much power something uses, gives away, or stores.
Conclusion: What Does Watts Mean for You?
In today’s world, it’s important to know about Watts for a variety of reasons.
For example, the wattage of an appliance tells you how much power it uses. When looking at the wattage of an appliance, you’re really looking at how much power it uses. An appliance with a higher wattage will use more power than one with a lower wattage. A 7-watt lightbulb will use more power than a 1800-watt dryer.
So, for example, Watts can help you save money on your energy bill. By understanding how much power your appliances use, you can make more informed choices about which ones to use and when.
To really understand how Watts can help you in everyday life, check out my post: What is Watt-Hour?
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