# What is Electric Power?

ElectronElectronics & ElectricalDigital Electronics

## Electric Power: Definition

The rate at which work is done in an electric circuit is known as electric power. In other words, the energy used per unit time in an electric circuit is called as electric power.

## Electric Power: Formula

As, the electric power is the rate of doing work in an electric circuit, thus,

$$\mathrm{Electric\:power,P=\frac{Work\:done\:in\:elecric\:circuit(W)}{Time(t)}}$$

Consider an electric circuit shown below. An electric current flows in the circuit, when a voltage is applied to it. So, work is being done in moving the charge (electrons) in the circuit. This work done in moving the charge per unit time is known as electric power.

As the voltage is defined as the work done on the charge, i.e.

\mathrm{$$V=\frac{Work\:done}{Q}}$$

$$\mathrm{\Rightarrow\:{Work\:done},W=VQ=Vlt\:\:\:\:(\because\:Q=It)}$$

∴ Electric power,

$$\mathrm{P=\frac{Work\:done(W)}{t}=\frac{VQ}{t}=\frac{Vlt}{t}=VI\:\:\:\:\:\:Joule/sec\:or\:Watt}$$

$$\mathrm{(\because\:V=IR\:\:or\:\:I=\frac{V}{cR})}$$

$$\mathrm{\therefore\:P=VI=I^{2}R=\frac{V^{2}}{R}\:\:\:\:...(1)}$$

Equation (1) gives the three formulae for the calculation of electric power which are equally valid in a DC circuit.

## Unit of Electric Power

The electric power in an electric circuit is measured in Watts (W). There some larger units are also for the power measurement as follows −

• Kilowatt (kW) = 1000 Watts = 103 Watts

• Megawatt (MW) = 103 kW = 106 W

• Gigawatt (GW) = 109 W.

## Numerical Example (1)

A resistor of 100 Ω has a DC voltage of 120 V across it. Calculate the power absorbed.

Solution

Power absorbed,

$$\mathrm{P=\frac{V^{2}}{R}=\frac{120^{2}}{100}=144\:W}$$

## Numerical Example (2)

If a current of 10 A flows through a resistor of 250Ω, determine the power dissipated in the resistor.

Solution

Power Dissipated,

$$\mathrm{P=I^{2}R}$$

$$\mathrm{=10^{2}\times\:250}$$

$$\mathrm{=25000\:W=25\:kW}$$

## Numerical Example (3)

A resistor of resistance R is connected across a dc supply of 12 V. The electric power dissipated is 6 Watt. Determine the value of R in Ohms.

Solution

$$\mathrm{Electric\:power,P=\frac{V^{2}}{R}}$$

$$\mathrm{\Rightarrow\:R=\frac{V^{2}}{P}=\frac{12^{2}}{6}=24\:\Omega}$$

Published on 05-Jul-2021 10:06:54