- Electric Power just discussed is an instantaneous parameter, measured in watts or kilowatts for most customers.
- If you look at your electricity meter the power consumption is indicated precisely by the instantaneous speed* of rotation of the silvery disc visible through the glass front of the meter.
- Over a given time period, the total energy consumed is the total number of turns* that the silvery disc has made. This is measured cumulatively by the meter's numerical dials and counters which are driven, via gears, by the spinning disc.
- Example 1: A 100-watt light globe has a power consumption of 100 watts. After running for 24 hours it will have consumed 0.1 (kW) x 24 (hours) = 2.4 kilowatt-hours of electricity.
- Example 2: A 100-watt light globe has a power consumption of 112 watts if supplied with 254.4 volts. After running for 24 hours it will have consumed 0.112 (kW) x 24 (hours) = 2.69 kilowatt-hours of electricity.
* both of these are affected by voltage.
How Voltage affects Customers' Electricity Bills