Electric Power

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What Does Electric Power Mean?

Electric power is defined as the rate at which electrical energy is consumed in an electrical circuit. The SI unit of power is the watt, which is one joule per second. Although sources such as electric batteries can supply electric power, it is mostly produced by electric generators. With the help of an electric grid, electric power is supplied by the energy industry to homes and other industries.

Techopedia Explains Electric Power

Electric power (P) can be calculated as energy consumption (E) divided by the time consumed (t):

P = E/t, with P in watts, E in joules and t in seconds

In the case of electric power consumption by homes and businesses, it is mostly sold by the kilowatt hour, which is running time in hours multiplied by the power in kilowatts. An electricity meter is used to measure the amount of power consumption. Electric power is considered as a low-entropy form of energy.

Electric power generation is considered clean, as there are no byproducts produced. As it is a necessity for businesses and customers to operate commercial and domestic appliances, the electric power generation industry is considered as part of the public utility infrastructure.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.