What unit is electrical power measured in?

Electrical power is measured in watts. The watt is defined as one joule per second and represents the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit. This unit encapsulates both the voltage (potential difference) and the current (flow of electricity), which are measured in volts and amperes, respectively.

When you multiply the voltage (in volts) by the current (in amperes), you derive power in watts, making this unit particularly relevant for understanding how much energy is being consumed or generated in electrical systems. Therefore, knowing that electrical power is expressed in watts is fundamental for fire investigators, as they often need to analyze the electrical components involved in fire incidents.