Watt
A watt (W) is a unit of electrical power. Power is the rate at which physical work of some kind is done, or the amount of energy that is transferred per unit of time. It involves a physical system changing over a specified time.
The watt is named after James Watt, the inventor of the steam engine condenser.
According to the International System of Units (SI), one watt is defined as the energy consumption rate of one joule per second (J/s). One watt is also defined as the current flow of one ampere with a voltage of one volt.
Table of unit prefixes of watt:
(P = power)
NAME | SYMBOL | CONVERSION | EXAMPLE |
Picowatt | pW | 1pW = 10^-12 W | P = 10 pW |
Nanowatt | nW | 1nW = 10^-9 W | P = 10 nW |
Microwatt | μW | 1μW = 10^-6 W | P = 10 μW |
Watt | W | P = 10 W | |
Kilowatt | kW | 1kW = 10^3 W | P = 2 kW |
Megawatt | MW | 1MW = 10^6 W | P = 5 MW |
Gigawatt | GW | 1GW = 10^9 W | P = 5 GW |
Terawatt | TW | 1TW = 10^12W | P = 5 TW |
Planning our electric future: a White Paper for secure, affordable and low-carbon electricity, Glossary, published by the Department of Energy & Climate Change on 14 July 2011, states: ‘One gigawatt of electricity from wind could meet the annual energy needs of over 600,000 UK households, around 1.5 per cent of the UK energy demand.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
New project and cultural district described in detail.
The nature of EPCs, crticism and inaccuracies.
History, issues and redesign.
From waste recycling to energy performance the hierchy.
An introduction to WERCS and WEEE responsibilities
Dealing with 2 million tonnes of waste equipment a year.
Global BACS Market: analytics and optimisation
A BSRIA glance at building automation and control systems.
What it is and how to use it.
Types of insulating plaster by binder and insulant.
Investors in People: CIOB achieves gold
Reflecting a commitment to employees and members.
Scratching beneath the surface; a guide to selection.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, or to suggest changes, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.