October 15, 2023

Convert Volts to Amps

Short on Time? Here’s The Article Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of understanding basic electrical calculations, such as converting volts to amps, for optimizing solar panel setups. It mentions the benefits of sustainable power and provides resources to help with calculations. Converting volts to amps is crucial for determining the electrical current flowing through a circuit. Knowing the current, voltage, and watts of solar equipment helps ensure compatibility with your system and power needs.

The conversion formula for volts to amps is Amps = Watts / Volts. By dividing the power in watts by the voltage in volts, you can find the amperage or amps. Understanding this conversion is essential for assessing the suitability of solar panels for your needs. A practical example is given to illustrate the conversion process, showing how to calculate the amperage of a 200-watt solar panel running on 12 volts. Understanding these conversions can simplify solar power utilization and system setup.

Introduction

It’s difficult not to get swept up in all the excitement around sustainable power and all the benefits it can provide for both you and the planet. However, to get the most from your solar panel setup, it helps to know how to do some basic electrical calculations, including converting volts to amps.

This doesn’t mean you have to go back to school though. There are loads of useful resources on our blog to take you through every step of the way to unpacking the various equations you need to familiarise yourself with.

You’ll even be able to make sense of your power bill when you know how to convert amp hours to kWh or convert mW to kWh.

Today, we’re going to go over how to convert volts to amps and vice versa. We’re also going to cover why it’s so important to be able to do this and exactly when it will come in handy.

Why Do You Need to Convert Volts to Amps?
How to Convert Voltage to Amps

Why Do You Need to Convert Volts to Amps?

Determining the amps, volts, and watts of solar equipment shows you how compatible they are with your system and power needs.

With a simple equation, you can convert amps to watts, watts to amps, or even amps to volts. You can use a basic formula to convert volt-amps to amps or even convert kVA to amps.

So why do you need to convert volts to amps? Well, the amount of electrical current running through a circuit is measured in amps. So to know how much current is flowing through your system, you need to calculate the amperage.

How to Convert Voltage to Amps

To convert volts to amps, you need to know two electrical ratings of your solar panel. You need the voltage and the wattage.

Voltage is the electrical pressure running through your circuit. Think of it as the electrical potential between one point and another. Wattage is the rate at which the electrical energy flows. So, how do you convert volts to amps by using these two ratings?

Although amps are abbreviated to ‘A’ in most contexts, for electrical equations, current is denoted using ‘I’, so that’s what’s going to show up in most calculators.

The current in amps (I) is equal to the power in watts (W), divided by the voltage in volts (V):

Amps = Watts / Volts

I = W/V

Simply put, we divide the watts by the volts, and the answer is the amperage or amps.

Example Of How To Convert Volts To Amps

An amp calculator for a house to calculate your electrical load capacity or even an RV amp calculator follows the same principle. To better illustrate, let’s use a real-world example using one of our products.

You’re considering investing in an RV solar power system. Your friend has given you the solar panel that he no longer needs.

It’s a 200-watts solar panel for an RV, and he’s told you it runs on 12 volts. However, you need to work out the amps to know if it’s sufficient for your needs.

You apply the conversion equation of amps(I) =watts(W) / volts(V).

In this case, 200 watts/12 volts

And the answer is 16,66 amps. This is more than enough to power the fridge in your RV for the day while camping. Bear in mind that the more appliances you have running at once, and the more powerful those appliances are, the higher the current you need to run them.

Conclusion

With simple conversions like these, everything solar can be made simple. That’s our mission here at Shop Solar Kits. Contact us today for further information about solar panels for your residential or RV needs.

The Ultimate Solar + Storage Blueprint (Mini Course)

Struggling to understand how solar + storage systems actually work? Looking to build or buy your own solar power system one day but not sure what you need? Just looking to learn more about solar, batteries and electricity?

Join 15,000+ solar enthusiasts breaking free from their energy dependence with this short step-by-step video course that will make you a solar + storage expert. Start your journey to energy independence today.

Learn More Now

Who is ShopSolar.com?

ShopSolar.com is the #1 digital platform that enables consumers & businesses to source and purchase complete solar + storage solutions direct, saving you thousands in time, energy and money! With over 40,000+ happy customers, we’re on a mission to make solar simple, transparent and affordable.

Did You Find Our Blog Helpful? Then Consider Checking:

Filed in: All Articles

Article by

Alex S

Alex is a co-founder of Shop Solar, a company that he established in 2018 to revolutionize the solar industry by simplifying the process and making it more simple and cost-effective. Under his strategic leadership, Shop Solar has grown into a comprehensive one-stop-shop, empowering over 40,000+ customers to access top-quality solar and storage solutions, comprehensive information, intuitive tools, and professional installation services.

With a passion for innovation and sustainable energy, Alex has successfully expanded the business's reach and impact, serving as a driving force in the company's growth and development. You can browse best seller's here.