Every once in a while we get questions from our customers asking to define some of the terms that they find on their battery. So here is a short list of some of the more common terms and their definitions.

Volt – This is a measure of electrical potential. The volt is named after Alessandro Volta the “father” of batteries.

Watt – This is the unit for measuring electrical power, i.e., the rate of doing work, in moving electrons by, or against, an electrical potential (Volt). Formula: Watts = Amperes x Volts. This was named after James Watt one of the leaders in developing steam engines in the late 1700’s.

Watt-hour – Not to be confused with a Watt, this is a measure of electrical energy. Simply figured by multiplying Watts x Hours.

Ohm – This is not the sound that monks make in the movies, it is however a measure of the electrical resistance or impedance within an electrical circuit. Named after Georg Ohm the brain behind Ohm’s Law where he realized that there is a proportional difference when voltage is applied across a conductor and the current that goes through it.

Ampere – Commonly shortened to Amp this is the unit of electric current or amount of the electric charge. Amps are named after André-Marie Ampère who is one of discoverers of electromagnetism.

Basically you can look at it somewhat like this; the voltage is how much power you need and the AH or amps is how much gas you have in the tank. Let me know if these help.

Written by
  Ken

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