wattmõõdu

A wattmõõdu, or wattmeter, is an instrument used for measuring the electric power in watts. Electric power is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit. Wattmeters are essential tools in electrical engineering, power system monitoring, and energy efficiency analysis.

There are several types of wattmeters, including analog and digital. Analog wattmeters typically use a moving coil mechanism where the deflection of the coil is proportional to the power being measured. Digital wattmeters, on the other hand, use electronic circuitry to measure voltage and current and then calculate and display the power digitally. Both types require connection to the circuit in a way that allows them to sense both the voltage across the load and the current flowing through it.

In a typical setup for a DC circuit, a wattmeter is connected in series with the load to measure current and in parallel with the load to measure voltage. For AC circuits, more complex designs are used to account for phase differences between voltage and current, which are crucial for accurate power measurement. Specialized wattmeters exist for different applications, such as those for measuring RF power or power in three-phase systems. Understanding the readings from a wattmeter helps in diagnosing electrical issues, optimizing energy consumption, and ensuring the safe operation of electrical devices.