Let's talk about how to calculate power consumption. To carry out the calculations, elementary knowledge from the school course of electrodynamics, related to voltage, current, power, will be required.
Parameters for Computing
To calculate the power consumption by current, you need to know its strength, as well as the magnitude of the voltage source. Power (P) is calculated by multiplying the current by an electric voltage.
Formula for calculation
In order to understand how to calculate the power consumption of an electrical appliance, let us dwell on the definition of each physical quantity used in the formula.
Amperage refers to the magnitude of the electric charge that passes through a given area of the conductor per unit time.
Voltage is a physical quantity that is characterized by an electric field created by current.
The unit of power is W, which is the product of 1A by 1V.
Calculation Features
For example, you can calculate the power consumption of electricity at a current of 3 A, voltage of 100 V. The power value in this case will be 300 watts.
As an off-system unit of measure of power , volt-amperes are used. They try to indicate power on circuit breakers (circuit breakers). This is the maximum value at which the breaker will trip.
In addition, the voltage parameters and the current value are always present in the documentation attached to the devices, and are written on its body.
The values of these physical quantities that are characteristic of basic electrical appliances can be found in specialized reference books. For example, for household lighting fixtures, a current in the range of fifteen amperes is considered the norm. For powerful appliances used in the household, the current can reach 60 amperes. The voltage indicator in the network is 220 V.
Math actions
In order to understand how to calculate the power consumption, we use a specific example. If the voltage indicator of the network is 220 V, and a current of 2 A flows through the circuit, then the power consumption of this device will be 440 watts.
How to calculate the current consumption, if given the value of current? For example, at a power of 48 W and a voltage of 24 V, to determine the current strength, it is necessary to divide the value of power by voltage. The current in the circuit is 2 A.
How to calculate the current consumption, knowing the power? The maximum current in the circuit can be determined by the value of power and electric voltage. For example, at 100 W and 2 V to calculate the current, we divide the power by voltage, we get 50 A.
Rules for calculating power consumption
Let's talk about how to calculate the power consumption of devices used in everyday life. First you need to carefully examine it. Often indicate the power on the device itself, for this the manufacturer stamps a special sticker. What can be read on such a label? The magnitude of the current, voltage parameters, as well as the maximum power of this device. In some cases, such information is indicated by the manufacturer on the nameplate of the household appliance.
Consumers pay for electric energy precisely on the basis of power consumption, expressed in kilowatts. Its nominal indicator assumes the amount of power that is needed for the stable operation of the device. For example, for household refrigerators, this parameter is 500 watts.
To save electricity and money, it is important to make full calculations. How to calculate the power consumption of energy in the whole house? Consider a specific sample.
Calculation of the power of bulbs
For example, when using two light bulbs having a power of 100 W and 23 W, it is possible to evaluate the economic feasibility of acquiring a lamp of lower power. Let's try to clarify this assumption on a specific calculation. So, subtracting the smaller parameter from the larger one, we get the difference of 77 V. When paying the bill for the consumed electric energy, the charges are based on the consumed kW / h. When the lamps work for a long period of time, it is possible, by multiplying, to determine the difference in payment for 23- and 100-watt lamps.
To better understand how to calculate the power consumption, let's take an example when ten lights are used in an apartment, each of which has a power of 100 watts.
In total, the lamps consume 1000 watts, that is, 1 kW. If for a year they burn 2000 hours, this is 2000 kW. With an average cost of one kilowatt hour, 5 rubles will have to pay 50,000 rubles for the annual use of lamps. In order to reduce material costs, many owners of apartments and houses have long installed energy-saving lamps.
Some appliances consume electrical energy even when they are not working, but remain plugged in. If the LED on the device continues to light, this indicates that it has consumed some power.
When calculating the power consumption by the formula, the result is very arbitrary. Therefore, in the case when it is necessary to obtain a reliable result, wattmeters are used.
Conclusion
In connection with the constant increase in prices for electric energy, issues related to calculating power consumption and finding ways to save are timely and relevant.
Practical owners of city apartments and suburban mansions try to analyze in advance the power consumption of purchased devices, so as not to pay huge electricity bills later. Fundamental calculations of the total power consumption of electric energy for an individual house are performed at the design stage of the electrification system. In this case, it is possible not only to avoid unnecessary costs for electric energy, but also to prevent overloads that can lead to damage to devices and even to fire.
Among common household appliances that need to be taken into account when calculating the total power consumption, we mention incandescent lamps, an electric stove, a refrigerator, a food processor, a vacuum cleaner, a personal computer, a coffee machine, an air grill, an electric kettle, a cooker hood, a dishwasher, a boiler.
Each of them is designed for the consumption of a certain power, that is, it will be “included” in the receipt for electric energy. The easiest way to achieve savings in the family budget can be considered the purchase of appliances for home use that have an energy saving class A ++.