1. What is a Watts Calculator PC?

Definition: This calculator computes electrical power in watts based on voltage, current, and power factor.

Purpose: It helps electrical engineers, technicians, and PC builders determine power consumption and requirements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Power (Watts, W)
• \( V \) — Voltage (Volts, V)
• \( I \) — Current (Amperes, A)
• \( PF \) — Power factor (dimensionless, 0 to 1)

Explanation: The voltage and current are multiplied together with the power factor to calculate real power consumption.

3. Importance of Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation ensures proper component selection, power supply sizing, and energy efficiency in PC builds and electrical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the voltage in volts, current in amperes, and power factor (default 1.0 for DC circuits). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is power factor?
A: Power factor is the ratio of real power to apparent power, ranging from 0 to 1. For DC circuits it's always 1, for AC it's typically 0.8-0.95.

Q2: How do I measure voltage and current?
A: Use a multimeter to measure voltage across components and current in series with the circuit.

Q3: What's typical power consumption for a PC?
A: Standard PCs use 300-800W, gaming PCs 500-1200W, and servers can use 1000W+.

Q4: Why calculate power for PC components?
A: To ensure your power supply can handle all components and prevent system instability or damage.

Q5: Does this include power supply efficiency?
A: No, this calculates component power draw. For total power from the wall, divide by PSU efficiency (typically 80-90%).