Watts to Amps
Watts and Amps are different units for measuring or describing electricity. We cannot convert from watts to amps or amps to watts directly because the two units measure very different aspects of electrical current.
Furthermore, below we will understand the formula to convert watts to amps. Also, to understand the key concepts of electricity denoted by watts, volts, and amps, it is helpful to think of electricity as water flowing through a pipe.
Besides, amps represent the quantity or volume of water flowing through the pipe, and the voltage represents the amount of water pressure – just like the water pressure that comes out of your shower head or bathtub faucet.
Moreover, the full power of the water running through the pipes is measured by volume × pressure or, to bring it back to the realm of electricity, the power (watts) which the water is producing is calculated by amps × volts.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Watt’s Law (P = VI)
Converting watts to amps is done using Watt’s Law formula, which states that I = \(\frac{P}{E}\). Where P is power measured in watts, I is the current that is measured in amps, and the voltage measured in volts is denoted by V.
Formula
From the above conversation, we have derived the formula as Watts = Amps × Volts. Once we get at least two of the three pieces of information (amps, watts, and volts), finding the missing element is as simple as choosing the right formula. Simply, plug in the information you already have and then do some basic math to find the missing piece. For example, find the amps of 960W at 120 volts.
Power = current × voltage
Current = \(\frac{960}{120}\)
Current = 8 amps.
Another example we can take, like imagine that you have a juicer with a 600-watt motor on a fixed 120V household circuit. How many amps is it?
Amps = \(\frac{600}{120}\) = 5 amps.
Learn about Electrical Formulas – Definition, Electrical Equation in detail.
Various Calculations from Watt to Amps
1) DC Watts to Amps Calculation
In this case, it has the same formula what we have studied; current I in amps (A) is equal to the power P in watts (W), divided by the voltage V in volts (V):
I(A) = \(\frac{P_{W}}{V_{V}}\)
2) AC Single-Phase Watts to Amps Calculation
In this calculation, the phase current I in amps (A) is equal to the power P in watts (W), divided by the power factor PF times the RMS voltage V in volts (V):
I(A) = \(\frac{P_{W}}{PF \times V_{V}}\)
In this scenario, the power factor of the resistive impedance load is equal to one.
3) AC Three-Phase Watts to Amps Calculation
Calculation with Line-To-Line Voltage
The phase current I in amps (A) is equal to the power P in watts (W), divided by the square root of 3 times the power factor PF times the line to line RMS voltage VL-L in volts (V):
I(A) = \( \frac{P_{W}}{\sqrt{3\times PF \times V_{L-L(V)}}}\)
In this calculation, also the power factor of the resistive impedance load is equal to one.
Solved Questions for You
Q. 1. Who invented the unit watt and when?
Ans: Electricity as we measure in units of power called Watts, named to honour James Watt. Moreover, the inventor of the Watt steam engine. In addition, James Watt was a Scottish instrument maker and inventor whose steam engine contributed substantially to the Industrial Revolution.
Q.2. What do we mean by 1 ampere?
Ans: An ampere is a unit of measure of the rate of electron flow or current in an electrical conductor. Moreover, one ampere of current means one coulomb of electrical charge (6.24 x 1018 charge carriers) moving past a specific point in one second.
Moreover, the ampere comes from Andre Marie Ampere, French physicist (1775-1836) who discovered ampere.
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