sam
New Member
Posts: 4 
|
Post by sam on Feb 24, 2016 21:16:57 GMT
I have never been able to understand how the components for electricity – voltage, ampere and watt – work. I understand that voltage multiplied with ampere is the watt. And I understand that watt is the end-result, that we want to have to be able to use our electrical tools and so on. But I cant wrap my head around how voltage, ampere and watt work and what it is. When I read Ethan Winers explanation were he use the analogy of water I still couldn't understand how it works. What is voltage? What is it really? And ampere, what is it, when it all comes down tho the basics? And how does voltage and ampere go together, how do they ”work together”? And when they go together what is watt?  In Ethan Winers book page 570 it says: "A circuit that draws 6 amps when fed 10 volt uses 60 watt." Out from this I have to understand that ampere "draws" something and voltage "is fed" and amp and volt "use" watt. But where does watt come from and how is amp drawn when volt is fed? |
|
|
|
Post by Ethan Winer on Feb 25, 2016 16:54:36 GMT
As I explain in my Audio Expert book, electricity is more difficult to grasp than water flow because you can hear water as it runs through the pipes, and you can see it leaking out of a faucet if the rubber washer is old and no longer seals well. So at some level it requires a "leap of faith" to accept that electricity is real. Of course, you can intentionally give yourself a shock to prove that it's real. Take a 9 volt battery and touch both terminals to your tongue.  The main difference between electricity and water is electricity needs a return path in order to flow, where water goes from one place to another via a single path. But the common analogies still apply: Water pressure is like voltage because it has the potential to release energy, but only if you open the faucet. (Voltage is sometimes called "potential.") The quality of water is similar to current (amperes). The amount of water that flows in gallons per minute is the same as power (watts). The total amount of water that flows over time is like Kilowatt Hours - the measure of how much electricity was used that the electric company charges you for. I found this image that perhaps shows better than I can explain:  There are many other images that, when viewed as a group, might help further: www.google.com/search?q=electrical+current+water+analogy&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X--Ethan |
|
sam
New Member
Posts: 4
|
Post by sam on Feb 27, 2016 11:13:30 GMT
I don't have to electrocute myself to know that electricity exist – I only have to read my electrical bill to know that!  I think I understand electricity now. Volt can be compared to water pressure, which is the speed with which water can theoretically travel through the faucet. But amp can be compared with water flow capacity of the faucet, which depending on amount will let more or less water pass through the faucet. Both water pressure (volt) and water flow capacity (amp) affect each other. Watt can be compared to the water that is actually used – that finally comes out from the faucet. As long as the faucet is turned off no water is used, which is the same as no watt is used. Once the faucet is turned on and water comes out this is water usage. In the electrical world this would be the same as somewhere along the electrical circuit amps is being drawn (tapped, used, consumed etc). And depending on the volt in the circuit, the device that draws amp will get a specific amount of watt according to the mathematical formula; volt times amp is watt. A device that draws 2 amp from a circuit with 20 volt will get 40 watt power to use to what ever it use it for. Am I right? I now notice that the picture below show amps still exist after being used so I wonder if it's wrong to say that amp is drawn, used, consumed etc.? Perhaps amp can't be consumed. I said amp can be explained as the flow capacity. Capacity can't be consumed. So amp “usage” is how much electrical flow capacity of the electrical circuit that the electrical device use when it needs electricity? Right o wrong? I remember reading that a device won't be harmed if there is more amp in an electrical circuit then specified for the device but it will be harmed if there is more volt then specified. Less amp and volt then specified is also potentially harmful. I liked this picture to show the similarity and difference between real electricity formula and the water analogy.  Regards Samuel |
|
|
|
Post by Ethan Winer on Feb 27, 2016 17:52:32 GMT
Yes, you have it correct, and I'll clarify one thing you asked about. You said you have my Audio Expert book, and the relevant section is Power Ratings starting on page 576. Briefly, a device can be damaged by either too much voltage or too much current. If the voltage is too high, the electricity can "spark across" through the air and puncture through insulation or some other part. Too much current flowing through a wire or component causes it to overheat and eventually melt. From that part of my book:
"For a given wire gauge, there’s a maximum amount of current it can pass without overheating. This is the basis for a fuse; many are just a short length of very thin wire."
--Ethan
|
|
|
|
Post by Hexspa on Feb 27, 2016 20:15:28 GMT
I don't have to electrocute myself to know that electricity exist – I only have to read my electrical bill to know that! lol I was going to say isn't flipping a switch and being able to see enough proof? |
|
sam
New Member
Posts: 4
|
Post by sam on Mar 1, 2016 23:10:23 GMT
lol I was going to say isn't flipping a switch and being able to see enough proof? Absolutely, that will also work |
|
sam
New Member
Posts: 4
|
Post by sam on Mar 1, 2016 23:21:36 GMT
Yes, you have it correct, and I'll clarify one thing you asked about. You said you have my Audio Expert book, and the relevant section is Power Ratings starting on page 576. Briefly, a device can be damaged by either too much voltage or too much current. If the voltage is too high, the electricity can "spark across" through the air and puncture through insulation or some other part. Too much current flowing through a wire or component causes it to overheat and eventually melt. From that part of my book: "For a given wire gauge, there’s a maximum amount of current it can pass without overheating. This is the basis for a fuse; many are just a short length of very thin wire." --Ethan I must read more of your book before I want to come with more questions. But thanks for a great book. It's the light of my music life  |
|
