What does amperage mean in electricity?
One of the metrics for an appliance’s power rating is the amount of current that it can draw when it’s in use, and this is expressed in amperage The higher an appliance’s amperage rating, the more power it will need. An electric heater or dryer will often be listed with an amperage rating of 15 or 20, while an air conditioner will be listed with an amperage rating of 50 or greater.
What is the meaning of amperage in electricity units?
If you’re looking for a way to describe electricity in terms of force, the amperage is the standard unit for this strength. Just as a water pump can be described in terms of the number of gallons it can move, an electric motor can be described in terms of the force it can produce at a given current.
What does amperage mean in electricity measurements?
If you're thinking of buying a new electrician's equipment, like a power meter, you'll want to know how to read these metrics. An amperage reading refers to the amount of current flowing through a device. High amperage devices use more electricity than lower-rated devices. Think of a lighter vs. a generator. The lighter uses less current, but can start a fire.
What is the meaning of amperage in electricity?
The unit of electric current is called an amperage, which stands for “amp” (a contraction of the Latin term “ampetus,” meaning force). The amount of electric current that flows through an electric circuit is measured in amperage.
What does ampere mean in electricity?
An ampere is the standard unit of measurement for electric current. It is named after the French physicist Andre-Marie Ampère, who published his first paper about electric current in 1820. One ampere is equal to one Joule per second. In the United States, electricity is commonly measured in amperes and volts. For example, if you have a device that uses 20 volts, it will use 20 amps of electricity.