The rate of conversion of electrical energy into other forms of energies by different devices in a circuit is called electric power. Its unit is watt.
If voltage, (V) equals Joules per Coulombs (V = J/C) and Amperes (I) equals charge (coulombs) per second (A = Q/t), then we can define electrical power (P) as being the totality of these two quantities. This is because electrical power can also equal voltage times amperes, that is: P = V*I.The Power Triangle
These three types of power—true, reactive, and apparent—relate to one another in trigonometric form. We call this the power triangle. Power triangle relating apparent power to true power and reactive power.
Electricity is measured in units of power called Watts, named to honor James Watt, the inventor of the steam engine. A Watt is the unit of electrical power equal to one ampere under the pressure of one volt. One Watt is a small amount of power.Types of Electrical Power
- Apparent power: It is the ideal power and is represented by S. The SI unit is volt-amp. ...
- Active power: It is the power which is dissipated in the circuit. ...
- Reactive power: The power which is developed in the circuit is known as reactive power and is denoted by Q and measured in volt-ampere reactive.
People use electricity for lighting, heating, cooling, and refrigeration and for operating appliances, computers, electronics, machinery, and public transportation systems. Electricity use in the United States in 2019 was more than 13 times greater than electricity use in 1950.