How To Find Resistance With Power & Voltage

Most electrical calculations involving resistance, voltage, current or power are solved using Ohm's law. Ohm's law, discovered in 1827 by Georg Simon Ohm, states that the current in a conductor is proportional to the voltage and inversely proportional to the resistance. Since power, measured in watts, is a function of voltage and current, and current is a function of voltage and resistance, it is possible to calculate resistance from power and voltage. The calculations are simple but an understanding of simple math is advantageous.

Step 1

Enter the power, in watts, into the calculator. Divide the wattage by the voltage. The result is the current because Ohm's law states that current = power / voltage. Record the current value for later use. For example if the power is 100 watts and the voltage is 50 volts, the current is 100 / 50, or 2 amps.

Step 2

Calculate the resistance, in Ohms, by dividing the voltage by the current. Ohms law states that voltage = current x resistance, so by rearranging the formula resistance = voltage / current. Using the example in Step 1, with a voltage of 50 volts and a current of 2 amps, the resistance is 50 / 2, or 25 ohms.

Step 3

Check for errors in the calculation. Divide the voltage squared (voltage x voltage) by the calculated resistance. If the result does not equal the power, in watts, there was an error in the calculations.