How does amps work

You can measure both types, but electrical devices are only rated to use one type. Do not connect DC devices to AC and vice versa without an inverter or charger in between.

For mobile applications like RVs and boats, power receptacles have ratings in amps, 50Amp, 30Amp, 20Amp. These are the max amp ratings that these outlets can provide before their breaker pops. Many people get these amps confused with battery amps, but they are AC at a higher voltage.

While the 50 amp flow may be the same in a battery, remember the voltage is the pressure, and the battery pressure is only 12 volts. Theoretically, a battery with a capacity of 1 amp-hour should be capable of providing a continuous current of 1 amp to a load the device or appliance using power for exactly 1 hour before becoming discharged.

The same 1 amp-hour battery could alternatively provide a continuous current of 2 amps to a load for a half-hour. You get the idea. As you may recall, the higher the amps, the bigger the wires needed to safely serve the system.

You must properly size wires and cables not only to deliver quality power but also to prevent the occurrence of electrical fires. This drop often occurs at the end of a very long run of cable, for example. Finally, for RV and boat applications, people try to conserve battery power to the best of their ability.

It is therefore important to remember that higher amps burn more battery power. High amps is not always a good thing because the wires and devices need to be very big. To get away from having big wires, increasing the voltage will decrease the amperage for the same amount of power.

The following example shows how. When designing your electrical system, it is best to bear in mind that running big, thick, heavy wires long distances adds weight to your rig. The wires can also be very difficult to work with due to their inherent lack of flexibility.

As you can see, amps only represent one part of the electrical equation but are critical to understanding. To design a proper electrical system, we also need to better understand volts and watts because they all have to work together to become our coveted power supply! Our Reno, Nevada-based sales and customer service team is standing by at to take your questions!

Also join us on Facebook , Instagram , and YouTube to learn more about how lithium battery systems can power your lifestyle, see how others have built their systems, and gain the confidence to get out there and stay out there. I have a Thor quantum sprinter. My concern is charging by chassis alternator. Alternator specs are amps, I think. Information hard to find. Batteries recharge in about an hour of driving and everything seems fine.

I also have watts of solar and 4 kw aux generator. I have watt inverter in the system. Again everything seems fine.

I have not had to run generator for 2 days boondocking at different locations. Ohms R is a measure of resistance and is analogous to the water pipe size. Current is proportional to the diameter of the pipe or the amount of water flowing at that pressure. Voltage is an expression of the available energy per unit charge which drives the electric current around a closed circuit in a direct current DC electrical circuit.

Increasing the resistance, comparable to decreasing the pipe size in the water circuit, will proportionately decrease the current, or water flow in the water circuit, which is driven through the circuit by the voltage, which is comparable to the hydraulic pressure in a water circuit.

The relationship between voltage and current is defined in ohmic devices like resistors by Ohm's Law. Ohm's Law is analogous to the Hagen—Poiseuille equation, as both are linear models relating flux and potential in their respective systems. Electric current I is a rate of flow and is measured in amps A.

Ohms R is a measure of resistance and is comparable to the water pipe size. An "amp", short for ampere, is a unit of electrical current which SI defines in terms of other base units by measuring the electromagnetic force between electrical conductors carrying electric current.

A "watt" is a measure of power. One watt W is the rate at which work is done when one ampere A of current flows through an electrical potential difference of one volt V.

A watt can be expressed as It is important to know the terms and formulas on this page because they are helpful in calculating the amount of power and the size of a solar power system, whether it is an off-grid system or one that is grid-connected. There is also a formula for power. This is the type of current that most of your digital electronics will use. Alternating Current AC : Electricity will change the direction of its flow periodically. Most houses are wired for AC, and so your home most likely is built for it too.

The resulting number is the number of volts coming out of your outlet to help support your device. A watt is a measurement of electricity or one unit of power. All you need to know is two things. Then, multiply the amperage by the number of volts. This is the maximum amount of watts your circuit can support at one time. If your circuit breaker ever trips or your experiencing any other electrical issues in your home, give us a call. We provide various residential and commercial services and are especially proficient in wiring, lighting, and panels.

We can also provide generators! Categories: Electrical Maintenance. All Rights Reserved.