1. What is Watts to Amps Conversion?

Definition: This calculator converts electrical power in watts to current in amps for single-phase AC systems.

Purpose: It helps electricians, engineers, and DIYers determine the current draw of electrical devices.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( I \) — Current in amps
• \( P_w \) — Power in watts
• \( V \) — Voltage in volts
• \( PF \) — Power factor (unitless, between 0 and 1)

Explanation: The power in watts is divided by the product of voltage and power factor to calculate the current.

3. Importance of Current Calculation

Details: Proper current calculation ensures correct wire sizing, circuit breaker selection, and safe electrical system design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the power in watts, system voltage (default 120V), and power factor (default 1.0 for resistive loads). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is power factor?
A: Power factor represents the ratio of real power to apparent power, ranging from 0 to 1. Resistive loads have PF=1, while inductive loads have PF<1.

Q2: What voltage should I use?
A: Common single-phase voltages are 120V (US residential) or 230V (European). Check your system specifications.

Q3: When would power factor be less than 1?
A: For inductive loads like motors, transformers, or fluorescent lighting (typically 0.7-0.9).

Q4: Is this for AC or DC?
A: This formula is for single-phase AC. For DC, use I = P/V (no power factor).

Q5: How does this relate to circuit breakers?
A: Circuit breakers must be rated higher than the calculated current to prevent nuisance tripping.