Tools

Ohm's law and power

Ohm's law ties voltage, current and resistance together; the power law adds watts. Any two values determine the other two.

Enter any two values. The other two are calculated.

V
A
Ω
W
Voltage
13.8 V
Current
3.623 A
Resistance
3.809 Ω
Power
50 W

E = I × RP = E × IP = I² × RP = E² / R

How it works

  • E is voltage in volts, I is current in amperes, R is resistance in ohms and P is power in watts. R = E / I and P = I x E; the other forms follow by substitution.
  • Example: a 13.8 V radio drawing 20 A on transmit uses 276 W from its power supply.

Learn more: Electronics basics

Sources: Radio Mathematics (ARRL Handbook supplement) (ARRL); 2026-2030 Technician question pool (NCVEC Question Pool Committee)

Practice the exam questions: T5 Electrical Principles (Technician), G5 Electrical Principles (General)