Not sure if this is the right sub forum, move if necessary. Can someone explain to me what is the difference between watts, volts, and amps? Thanks
Amp= current Watt = a unit of power Volt= pressure In the water flow analogy sometimes used to explain electric circuits by comparing them to water-filled pipes, voltage difference is likened to water pressure difference–the difference determines how quickly the electrons will travel through the circuit. Current (in amperes), in the same analogy, is a measure of the volume of water that flows past a given point per unit time (volumetric flow rate). The flow rate is determined by the width of the pipe (analogous to electrical conductivity), and the pressure difference between the front end of the pipe and the exit (analogous to voltage). The analogy extends to power dissipation: the power given up by the water flow is equal to flow rate times pressure, just as the power dissipated in a resistor is equal to current times the voltage drop across the resistor (watts = amperes × volts). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volt
While not completely accurate...Volts is the "pressure" that "pushes" the electricity through a conductor. Amps is a measure of flow....kind of like "gallons per minute." Resistance is what slows the flow. Watts is a measure of power, it lets you know how much work can be done with Volts and Amps. Although, I'm sure one of the smarter members will describe it better. Ohm's law is a good place to start : Volts=current x resistance and Power= volts x amps.
Just to add: when you pay for the electricity supplied to your house you pay for the energy delivered. The power (in Watts) is the amount of energy used per unit time, so the total energy expended by any electric device is its power rating multiplied by how long you use it for. So, if you use a 1000 W hair dryer for 1 minute, you will use 1000 Watts of power for 60 seconds, which is 60,000 Joules of energy. If your house electricity supply is 110 V, then the hair dryer will draw 9.1 Amps of current while it is turned on. The power is 110 volts times 9.1 amps = 1000 Watts.
A volt is a measure of electric potential. It does not mean any power is flowing (i.e. no watts) it just means that there is a potential difference; electrons like to flow from an area of low potential to an area of high potential. In a capacitor, for example, you can have a potential of thousands of volts, but if there is no conductive path, no power is flowing. An amp is a measure of current flow; it's a measure of how much charge (i.e. electrons) is moving past a given area. Again, it does not mean any power is flowing; it just means that electrons are moving across an area (usually a conductor.) For example, in a superconducting ring, current can flow forever, but no power is produced because there is no potential difference. When you have both (current flowing from an area of high potential to low potential) then you have power. Power is amps times volts. 10 amps across a potential difference of 10 volts gives you 100 watts. Power times time equals energy; 10 watts flowing for 10 seconds gives you 100 joules. Kilowatt-hour is another measure of power, one that's more common when measuring amounts of energy for utility billing purposes.
Download this and read Chapter 11 for a full understanding. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! http://www.4shared.com/document/hAV-7wkN/9-8000.html
Ok, I think I'm starting to get an understanding. I'm waiting for the download motor recommended. So, my next question is, take getting electrocuted. I see tazers that you can buy that have thousands of volts. but yet, certain means of electrocution can kill you. WHat is it that kills you, or causes death? Is it the Amps, joules, watts volts... Sorry if I sound stupid, I just really don't understand electricity.
It's amps. If you use Mac's analogy to water then think of it this way: A million gallons won't (necessarily) kill you - after all you can swim in the sea, but 10 gallons at 1,000 gallon/ sec will ruin your day.
Amps are what kills you. Volts are what cause the amps to flow through you. Very high voltages are safe as long as current is limited (i.e. TENS units.) Very high currents are safe as long as voltages are low (i.e. 12V car electrical systems.)
