The number of amps running through a circuit describes the quantity of charge that runs through it each second. A couple other factors the amount of energy that this transfers. The voltage of the circuit specifies the amount of energy that each unit of charge carries. The amount of time for which the circuit runs converts this energy transfer rate to a quantity of energy.
Multiply the number of amps that go through the circuit by the voltage across it. If, for example, 12 amps go through a 240 volt circuit: 12 × 240 = 2,880. This is the power going through the circuit, measured in Watts.
Multiply the power rating by the time for which the circuit runs. If, for instance, it runs for 20 seconds: 2,880 × 20 = 57,600. This is the energy that the circuit transfers, measured in joules.
Divide this answer by 1,055, which is the number of joules in a British Thermal Unit (BTU): 57,600 ÷ 1,055 = 54.6. This is the number of BTUs that the circuit carries.
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Ryan Menezes is a professional writer and blogger. He has a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Boston University and has written for the American Civil Liberties Union, the marketing firm InSegment and the project management service Assembla. He is also a member of Mensa and the American Parliamentary Debate Association.
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