Volts, Amps, Watts - What Exactly Do They Mean??

Ever wonder what the electrical terms of volts, amps and watts mean? In this video I do a little teaching to help you understand a little more about electrical theory.
And we'll do some practical measurements and testing using a digital clamp/multimeter.
This is an excellent meter for a great price:

Thanks for watching! I'm Terry Peterman, the Internet Electrician, and welcome to my channel. On this channel I teach DIYers how to safely and competently work on simple electrical projects around the home. I will teach you how to do it right, do it safely, and save money by doing it yourself.

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[JOSHY_]

Other videos use confusing diagrams and technical terms I don't understand. This is by far the best video explaining everything. I hope others find this video as helpful as I do.

[grandmaraps]

I loved your water analogy. I used to use electrical analogy when I taught cardiac heart rhythms, which is basically plumbing and electrical. Great video.

[williamparker]

This is excellent very very understandable! Great teaching! Excellent teaching!

[vince]

Great presentation!! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[johnroberts]

Very Good video Terry! I love the way you simplified it.

[AhmadIzzatShahmierRosdi-giug]

How much amp for Tesla battery and Rimac battery ?

[Christian_Prepper]

VOLTS = Water Pressure (50 psi)?
AMPS = Water Flow Rate (ie. gallons per hour)?
WATTS = Water Used (ie. gallons)?
Volts x Amps = Watts?
Water pressure multiply Flow Rate equals Water Usage?
50 psi x 1 gph (mist nozzle setting) = 1 g
50 psi x 2 gph (shower nozzle setting) = 2 g
50 psi x 4 gph (full nozzle setting) = 4 g
Notice the gph always equals the final amount used.

WATER: If 1 gallon of water flows passed (AMPS) a given point ("switch/valve") per hour then after one hour the bucket will have just one gallon of water (WATT?). But apparently in the world of electricity, AMPS and WATTS are NOT measured equally. So, why aren't AMPS (amount of electricity flowing passed a given point) equal to WATTS (amount of electricity used/expended)? What is the difference between AMPS and WATTS? What is the advantage of having two different names to measure electricity whether it is flowing versus after it is used?

If the amount of electricity that ends up getting used varies from the amount of electricity that passed the "switch", what causes that variable? In WATER, regardless of the water pressure, if a nozzle/fixture/outlet (load/appliance) restricts the amount of water used to X per hour then the rate at which that water is flowing passed the valve will be equivalent to what ends up in the bucket. It would be weird if the water flow rate was say, 1 gallon an hour but we measured 2 gallons or only half a gallon in the bucket. Either the instrument used to measure the flow rate is broken or the water in the bucket was not measured correctly.

Forgive my ignorance.

[samjones]

Interesting video Terry. I taught a few hundred Computer techs in my life and always used a water analogy. I think you could have explained it much better with a good graphic. Give me a bit, If I can come up with one, I will send it to you.

[tedlahm]

Price to compare when shopping is 25 cents KWH?

[KevinCoop]

The big difference between the water company and the electric company is the water company sends the water out and does not want it back. The electric company always wants their electrons back.

[tedlahm]

Needed to explain the math formula being used first?

[philiptdotcom]

You said you used the hair dryer for 2 hours, but forgot to multiply the usage by 2!