Calculating DC Power

Power is the rate at which electrical energy is used.  It is measured in watts  The formula for DC power consumed by a circuit is:

Power is equal to the voltage across the circuit, E,  times the current flowing through the circuit.

This equation can also be rearranged to find the current in a circuit if you know the power and the voltage:

Exam Questions

Electrical power is measured in which of the following units?

A. Volts

B. Watts

C. Ohms

D. Amperes

Which term describes the rate at which electrical energy is used?

A. Resistance

B. Current

C. Power

D. Voltage

What is the formula used to calculate electrical power in a DC circuit?

A. Power (P) equals voltage (E) multiplied by current (I)

B. Power (P) equals voltage (E) divided by current (I)

C. Power (P) equals voltage (E) minus current (I)

D. Power (P) equals voltage (E) plus current (I)

How much power is being used in a circuit when the applied voltage is 13.8 volts DC

and the current is 10 amperes?

A. 138 watts

B. 0.7 watts

C. 23.8 watts

D. 3.8 watts

How much power is being used in a circuit when the applied voltage is 12 volts DC and

the current is 2.5 amperes?

A. 4.8 watts

B. 30 watts

C. 14.5 watts

D. 0.208 watts

How many amperes are flowing in a circuit when the applied voltage is 12 volts DC and

the load is 120 watts?

A. 0.1 amperes

B. 10 amperes

C. 12 amperes

D. 132 amperes