The field of energy is very dynamic. This field generally dwells with various subjects like Amps, Watts, Volts, etc. Almost the maximum percentage of people are associated with the two most common terms, Amps and Watts while calculating the power consumed by various lighting fixtures and home appliances.
However, watts can be considered as a comprehensive measurement in which power is calculated. Whereas, amps is the quantity of flowing current drawn. Out of Amps and Watts, the more comprehensive unit is Watts in which power is calculated. In the case of electric outlets, when the value of voltage is known, the power in watts can be converted into amps, as long as the value of current flow is known.
Amps vs Watts
The main difference between Amps and Watt is that Amps or Amperes are considered as the unit or SI unit of flowing current or electricity. Whereas, Watts is considered as the unit or SI unit of power. When an Ammeter is attached to a circuit, it gives the measurement of the flow of current. However when a series of Ammeter is attached to the circuit, obtained current and multiplied by Volts, gives Watts. One Watts is equal to one coulomb of charge per second. One Amps is equated as 1 joule per second.
Amps or Amperes are considered as the unit or SI unit of flowing current or electricity. When Watts is divided by voltage, gives Amps. Measuring the current flow or Ampere is a simple process. The application of amps can only be found in the field of current and electricity. The device in which Amps is measured is Ammeter. One Amps is equated as 1 joule per second. Amps are generally denoted as the bold letter A. Amps is named after the scientist André-Marie Ampère.
Watts is considered as the unit or SI unit of power. when Amps is multiplied by the mathematical value of voltage, gives Watts. Measuring the Watts is a comparatively complex process than measuring Amps. Watts is applicable in the calculation of various forms of energy. The device in which Watts is measured is Wattmeter, but can also be calculated by Ammeter. Watts is generally denoted as the bold letter W. Watts is named after an 18th-century inventor from Scotland, James Watt.
Comparison Table Between Amps and Watts
| Parameters of Comparison | Amps | Watts |
| Unit | Unit or SI unit of flowing current or electricity. | Unit or SI unit of power or radiant flux. |
| Calculation | When Watts is divided by voltage, gives Amps. | When Amps is multiplied by the mathematical value of voltage, gives Watts. |
| Simplicity of process | Measuring the current flow or Ampere is a simple process. | Measuring the Watts is a comparatively complex process. |
| Device needed for measurement | Ammeter | Ammeter/Wattmeter |
| Application | The application of amps can only be found in the field of current and electricity. | Watts is applicable in the calculation of various forms of energy. |
| Also Expressed As | One Amps is equated as 1 joule per second. | One Watts is equal to one coulomb of charge per second. |
| Denoted as | Symbol A | Symbol W |
| Named After | scientist André-Marie Ampère. | An 18th-century inventor from Scotland, James Watt. |
What is Amps?
Ampere is often used in its shortened form as “amp” and is denoted as A. Amps or Ampere is the basic unit of measurement of electric current according to the International System of Units or SI. Ampère is named after the father of electromagnetism, André-Marie Ampère.
He was a physicist and mathematician from France (1775–1836). One Ampere is defined as one coulomb of charge drawn per second.
In a conductor, the rate of flow of electrons is measured in Ampere.
The value of the electrical charge is 6.24×10^18 electrons in one second. Ampere is one of the 7 basic International systems of Units or SI units. When the force applied is one volt through one-ohm resistance, then the production of current is one Ampere.
What is Watts?
Watt is the unit of radiant flux or power. When the amount of current flow into an appliance is one Ampere And the potential difference is one volt, then the rate of work done is one watt. Watt is derived from the expression 1 kg⋅m²⋅s⁻³ or it is also equal to 1 joule of energy flow per second. It is the quantitative measurement of the transfer of energy. An 18th-century inventor from Scotland is behind the naming of Watt.
Watt is also equivalent to 1/746 horsepower. One kilowatt equals one thousand watts. Moreover, most of the electronic appliances used in the house are rated in this unit if measurement, i.e, watts. Watts is applicable in the calculation of various forms of energy. The device in which Watts is measured is Wattmeter, but can also be calculated by Ammeter.
Main Differences Between Amps and Watts
- Amps or Amperes are considered as the unit or SI unit of flowing current or electricity. Whereas, Watts is considered as the unit or SI unit of power.
- When Watts is divided by voltage, gives Amps. Whereas, when Amps is multiplied by the mathematical value of voltage, gives Watts.
- Measuring the current flow or Ampere is a simple process. Whereas, measuring the Watts is a comparatively complex process than measuring Amps.
- The application of amps can only be found in the field of current and electricity. Whereas, Watts is applicable in the calculation of various forms of energy.
- The device in which Amps is measured is Ammeter. Whereas, the device in which Watts is measured is Wattmeter, but can also be calculated by Ammeter.
- One Amps is equated to 1 joule per second. Whereas, one Watts is equal to one coulomb of charge per second.
- Amps are generally denoted as the bold letter A, on the other hand, Watts is generally denoted as the bold letter W.
- Amps is named after the scientist André-Marie Ampère. However, Watts is named after an 18th-century inventor from Scotland, James Watt.
Conclusion
The application of amps can only be found in the field of current and electricity. Whereas, Watts is applicable in the calculation of various forms of energy. When an Ammeter is attached to a circuit, it gives the measurement of the flow of current. However when a series of Ammeter is attached to the circuit, obtained current and multiplied by Volts, gives Watts.
Moreover, both Watts and Amps are independent variables, if the value of one changes, then the value of another also changes. If the value of volts remains constant, then watts are directly proportional to Amps. While choosing an electronic application for your house the next time, it should be kept in mind that how much power is drawn by the device should be taken care of.
References
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/750004/
- http://accesscoit.com/accessdc/Download/Access_PDFs/pdf1/Watts%20and%20Volt-Amps%20(Powerful%20Confusion).pdf