Watts, W is the unit of electric power. It is a measure of energy usage or generation per hour.
What is Volts?
Volts, V is the unit of voltage (also known as electrical pressure or potential difference). It is a measure of the force required to move electrons round a closed electrical circuit under a certain amount of resistance.
How to Convert Watts to Volts (W to V)?
Watts to Volts Conversion Formula for DC Circuits
Converting watts to DC volts is simple when we know the current (amps) of the circuit. Since power, P equals volts, V multiplied by current, A:
P = V x A (1)
To convert W to V, all we have to do is divide watts by amps:
volts = watts/amps (2)
Example
Two 5-amp solar panels connected in series produce 240 watts together, what’s the total voltage of the circuit?
Since the panels are in series, we do not have to sum their individual currents to calculate amps.
So, power, p = 240 watts and current = 5 amps, therefore voltage would be:
= 240/5 = 48 volts.
W to V Formula for AC Circuits
AC circuits experience significant reactance, so the power actively used within an AC circuit is a fraction of the power getting to the circuit. This fraction is represent by a variable called power factor, pf.
power factor = real power (active power) ÷ apparent power (3)
So, when converting W to V for an AC circuit, we’ll have to enter power factor for accuracy. If we don’t enter power factor, we’ll overestimate.
Let’s make real power the subject of (3):
real power = pf x apparent power (4)
Since:
apparent power = rms voltage x p current x c (5)
(4) becomes:
real power = pf x rms voltage x rms current flow x c (6)
where c represents a constant.
AC Single Phase Watts to volts Conversion Formula
To derive the formula to convert watts to volts for a single-phase AC circuit, we’ll make voltage the subject of (6):
voltage = real power/(pf x current x c) (7)
For a single-phase circuit, c = 1, so (7) becomes:
voltage = real power/(pf x current) (8)
We can rewrite (8) as:
volts = watts/(pf x amps) (9)
Basically, a watts to volts calculator does its conversion by dividing watts by pf and the phase current (amps).
Example
A single-phase outlet has a pf of 0.85, current of 12 amps, and power, p of 2000 watts. What’s its voltage?
volts = 2000/(0.85 x 12)
= 196 volts
AC Three-phase Watts to Line to Neutral Voltage Formula
For a three-phase circuit, when calculating L-N voltage, c = 3. So, (7) becomes:
voltage = real power/(pf x current x 3) (10)
We can rewrite (10) as:
volts = watts/(pf x amps x 3) (11)
So, when doing a three-phase AC circuit conversion, a watts to L-N volts calculator divides watts by pf, the phase current (amps), and 3.
Example
What’s the L-N volt of a three-phase AC circuit with pf of 0.8, wattage of 8600 watts, and current of 15 amps?
volts = 8600/(0.8 x 15 x 3)
= 238.9 volts
AC Three-phase W to Line to Line Voltage Formula
When calculating line to line voltage for a three-phase circuit calculation, c = √3. So, (7) becomes:
voltage = real power/(pf x current x √3) (12)
We can rewrite (12) as:
volts = watts/(pf x amps x √3) (13)
So, when doing a three-phase AC circuit conversion for line to neutral voltage, a watts to volts conversion calculator divides watts by pf, the phase current (amps), and √3.
Example
What’s the L-L volt of a 3-phase AC circuit that has a pf of 0.88, a current of 30 amps, and wattage of 15,900 watts?
volts = 15900/(0.88 x 30 x √3)
= 348 volts
Watts to Volts Conversion Chart for DC Circuits
Wattage
Voltage at 10 amp
Voltage at 12 amp
Voltage at 15 amps
Voltage at 20 amps
12
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
24
2.4
2
1.6
1.2
48
4.8
4
3.2
2.4
60
6
5
4
3
120
12
10
8
6
240
24
20
16
12
480
48
40
32
24
How useful was this post?
Click on a star to rate it!
Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 1
No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.
We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!
Let us improve this post!
Tell us how we can improve this post?
Charles Noble
Here at Spheral Solar, I’m a hands-on solar power enthusiast, constantly exploring and experimenting with DIY solutions. I’m dedicated to sharing my discoveries, insights, and even the bumps I hit along the way, all in the pursuit of a more sustainable future.
Volts to Watts (V to W) Conversion Calculator by Charles Noble March 23, 2023 What is Volts? Volts – short form of voltage – is the S.I unit of electromotive force, which may also be thought of as electrical pressure. We may also represent it with V. Volts is a measure of the amount of electromotive force that drives electric charge around a closed…
Amps to Watts (A to W) Conversion Calculator by Charles Noble March 23, 2023 What Is Amps? Amps is the unit of measurement for electrical current. It is a measure of the amount of electrons flowing through a circuit per unit time. In other words, it is a measure of the speed with which electrical charges flow through electrical conductors in a circuit. Amps,…
Watts to Amps (W to A) Conversion Calculator by Charles Noble March 23, 2023 What Is Amps? Amps is short for amperes – the S.I unit of electrical current. It measures electrical current, which is the rate of flow of electrical charge/electrons through a circuit per unit time. Essentially, amps represents the amount of electrons moving through a circuit per second. What Is Watts?…
Watt Hours to Milliamp Hours (Wh to mAh) Conversion… by Charles Noble March 17, 2023 What Is Watt-Hours? Watt-hours (Wh) is a unit that measures the amount of electrical energy consumed or produced by electrical appliances over time. To be more descriptive, it is the amount of electrical energy generated or used when a certain amount of power is used over one time. What Is…
Kilowatt Hours to Watts (kWh to W) Conversion Calculator by Charles Noble March 25, 2023 What is Kilowatt Hours (kWh)? Kilowatt-hours is a unit used to express energy consumption, particularly electrical energy. It is the amount of power (in kilowatts) electrical appliances consume or generate over a given period (in hours). In other words, one kilowatt-hour is the energy equivalent of a power consumption or…
Milliamp Hours to Watt Hours (mAh to Wh) Conversion… by Charles Noble March 17, 2023 What Is Milliamp-Hours (mAh)? Milliamp-hours is short for milliampere-hours. It is a unit that measures how much electric charge a power source will discharge over a one hour period at a specific voltage. Milliamp-hours, sometimes written as mAh, is usually used as a measure of battery capacity. It gives a…
Subscribe for handpicked DIY projects, exclusive tips, and giveaways.
As homeowners increasingly prioritize energy efficiency and sustainability, the choice between heat pump and solar hot water systems has become a critical decision point. Both technologies offer eco-friendly alternatives to traditional water heating methods, but they differ in their operating principles, efficiency, costs, and environmental impact. This comprehensive article will delve into the intricacies of… Read more: Heat Pump vs Solar Hot Water Systems: A Comprehensive Comparison
Picture this: a vibrant garden teeming with life, your tools prepped and ready, all powered by the sun’s clean energy. No more tangled cords, depleted batteries, or trips to the gas station. This dream can become reality with a DIY solar charging station for your electric lawnmower, trimmer, and other outdoor tools. More than just… Read more: Sun-Powered Toolshed: A Step-by-Step Guide to Your Solar Tool Charging Station
If you are looking to install a solar battery for your home, a few appliances, or a vehicle, you may be wondering what’s the best one to go for. There are many options on the market and a lot of them are very good with new technologies coming out every few years. Rather than staring… Read more: How to Find the Right Solar Battery
