Understanding Battery Nominal Power: Is It Total Circuit Power?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that the term "nominal power" in the context of batteries refers to an idealized value rather than the actual power output, which can vary. Specifically, a dry cell battery is nominally rated at 1.5V, but real measurements may show a voltage of 1.43V. This discrepancy highlights the importance of understanding nominal values when assessing battery performance. The conversation emphasizes that nominal power does not equate to the total power of the circuit.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of battery terminology, specifically "nominal voltage" and "actual voltage."
  • Basic knowledge of electrical circuits and power concepts.
  • Familiarity with dry cell batteries and their specifications.
  • Awareness of measurement tools for voltage assessment.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the differences between nominal and actual voltage in batteries.
  • Explore the specifications and performance characteristics of various battery types.
  • Learn about the impact of load on battery voltage and power output.
  • Investigate measurement techniques for accurately assessing battery performance.
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineers, battery technology enthusiasts, and anyone involved in designing or evaluating battery-powered devices.

HeapofAsh
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
What does it mean by nominal power drawn from a battery? is it the total power of the circuit?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
HeapofAsh said:
What does it mean by nominal power drawn from a battery? is it the total power of the circuit?
Hi HeapofAsh. http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5725/red5e5etimes5e5e45e5e25.gif

It is recommended that you include the context of any terms you want explained.

You can probably substitute "ideally" (or even "roughly") for the word "nominal" to get the intended way you can interpret it in a battery question.

A dry cell battery is nominally 1.5v, though you may measure it and discover your cell's voltage reads 1.43v
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Similar threads

Engineering Calculating Power Losses in an AC Induction Motor
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Engineering How to calculate the power distribution through this gearbox?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Can't find total resistance in a complex star circuit
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
Circuit design using switches puzzle
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
The battery voltage drops when fed to the DC booster circuit
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
How much current is drawn? Absolutely confused
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
Why does amplifier sink power for Vout>0 and sources power for Vout<0?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Maximum power from a battery with source resistance
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
Undergrad Conductors and circuits for nuclear force
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Undergrad An attempt to understand the associated variable conventions in circuits
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K