1. What is Current Consumption?

Current consumption refers to the amount of electric current drawn by an electrical device or circuit, calculated as the ratio of power to voltage.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the current consumption formula:

Where:

• \( I \) — Current in Amperes (A)
• \( P \) — Power in Watts (W)
• \( V \) — Voltage in Volts (V)

Explanation: This fundamental relationship shows how current varies directly with power and inversely with voltage.

3. Importance of Current Calculation

Details: Calculating current consumption is essential for circuit design, selecting appropriate wire gauges, determining fuse sizes, and ensuring electrical safety.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter power in watts and voltage in volts. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between AC and DC current calculations?
A: For resistive loads, the formula works the same. For AC with reactive components, power factor must be considered.

Q2: How does current relate to wire size?
A: Higher current requires thicker wires to prevent overheating. National electrical codes specify maximum currents for each wire gauge.

Q3: What happens if voltage increases but power stays constant?
A: Current decreases proportionally (e.g., doubling voltage halves current for the same power).

Q4: Can this formula be used for three-phase systems?
A: For balanced three-phase systems, use \( I = P / (V \times \sqrt{3} \times PF) \) where PF is power factor.

Q5: Why is current measured in amperes?
A: The ampere is the SI base unit for electric current, named after French physicist André-Marie Ampère.