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Watt-hour Ratings

**Watt (W):** The watt is the standard unit of power, or radiant flux, in the International System of Units (SI). It quantifies the rate at which energy is transferred or converted. One watt is defined as one joule of energy per second (1 J/s). In mechanical terms, it's the power produced when a force of one newton moves an object at a velocity of one meter per second. The watt is a fundamental unit in physics and engineering used to express the power of everything from light bulbs to engines.

In electrical systems, the watt represents the rate at which electrical work is performed. Specifically, one watt is equivalent to the power generated when a current of one ampere flows through an electrical potential difference of one volt (1 V × 1 A). The watt can also be expressed in terms of voltage and resistance (V²/Ω) or current and resistance (A²⋅Ω), based on Ohm's law. It's important to distinguish the watt, a measure of real power, from the volt-ampere, which is used for apparent power in AC circuits containing reactive components.

The unit is named in honor of James Watt (1736–1819), a Scottish inventor and mechanical engineer renowned for his improvements to the steam engine. His work was pivotal to the Industrial Revolution. The name "watt" was formally adopted as the unit of power in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, solidifying its place in the scientific and engineering lexicon.

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Last updated: February 23, 2026