When you look at electronic devices, there are always three words that come to mind. These are volts amps watts which are actually voltage, amperes, and wattage. They are key terms to understand the flow of electricity in a device. It may be quite confusing at first, but once you get the basics of what each word means, you will have a better idea of the purpose of the three electronic terms. You have to read this easy and practical guide to understanding voltage, amperage, and wattage. You will also be given examples to have a grasp of what each word signifies, especially in relation to products like solar panels.
Practical Guide to Voltage, Ampere, and Watts
Voltage
The unit of measure for voltage is volts. Between volts amps watts terms, the volts should be taken into serious consideration, especially if you are plugging one device into a power source. You do not want your device to get permanent damage upon connection because of the pressure difference between the pressure that pushes the current in the power source and the voltage on the receiving end. Standard nominal voltages are as follows: 12V, 24V, and 48V. The cell count on a panel affects the voltage of the device. As the cell count increases, voltage also increases. The voltage is a key number to determine when designing a solar panel for a particular space or home.
Ampere
The ampere is a unit of measure that determines the rate of electrical flow. It is the number of electrons that flow at a certain or particular point per second. How does this affect the other two? The amperage is directly proportional to voltage, which means that as the voltage increases, the amperage also increases. Now, about power, it is also directly proportional. This means that maintaining a high power rating means decreasing the voltage level. When you are looking at a solar panel, the amperage tells you about its capability to supply the flow of electrons to a device. This detail is important because you have to consider the wiring and the other components of the solar panel to accommodate the rate of current flow.
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Watts
When you talk about watts, it is immediately linked to power. This is true because the unit of measurement for power is watts. It is called as such to give honor to James Watt because of his contribution to the development of the industry. In relation to solar power, the watt measurement refers to the electrical output capacity of the panel under ideal sunlight and temperature. You can see this normally on a solar panel nameplate, which is the peak output, and not necessarily its normal power all year round. You need to determine the power of solar power in relation to watt-hours, that is, its actual power output during normal working conditions.
Conclusion
Now that you know what volts amps watts mean, you can make a better judgment when you are buying electronics. You have to take note of the voltage of the electronic device before plugging in any power source, like solar panels. Amperes dictate the current that flows on the wires or electrical connections. The quickness and slowness of the flow of power are dependent on the ampere rating. Watts is the rate at which energy travels along the wire or cable. A higher power requirement on a device means it needs the same power rating to function. With all of these in mind, you can approach electronic devices and solar panels with greater knowledge and understanding of how they work.
