I'm an expert in electrical engineering with a focus on power systems and circuit analysis. I've been working in this field for several years and have a deep understanding of how electrical power is generated, transmitted, and consumed. One of the fundamental concepts in electrical engineering is the relationship between power, voltage, and current, which is essential for designing and analyzing electrical circuits.

When we talk about electrical power, we refer to the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit. The power \( P \) in watts (W) is calculated using the formula \( P = IV \), where \( I \) is the current in amperes (A) and \( V \) is the voltage in volts (V). This formula is applicable for both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) circuits, although for AC circuits, it's more complex due to the presence of power factor.

In an AC circuit, the power factor (PF) is a dimensionless number that represents the ratio of real power to apparent power. Real power is the power that actually performs work, while apparent power is the product of voltage and current. The power factor ranges from 0 to 1, and it is 1 for purely resistive loads, meaning all the power is used to do work. For inductive or capacitive loads, the power factor is less than 1 because part of the power is used to create and collapse magnetic fields or electric fields, respectively.

Now, let's address the question at hand: How many amps is 1000 watts at 120 volts? For a purely resistive load, the power factor is indeed 1, and the calculation is straightforward:

\[ I = \frac{P}{V} = \frac{1000W}{120V} \approx 8.333A \]

This means that if you have a resistive load that consumes 1000 watts at a voltage of 120 volts, the current flowing through the circuit would be approximately 8.333 amperes.

However, it's important to note that in real-world applications, not all loads are purely resistive. For example, if you were dealing with an inductive load like a motor, the power factor would be less than 1, and the actual current would be higher than 8.333A for the same power consumption. In such cases, you would need to know the power factor to calculate the actual current.

In summary, understanding the relationship between power, voltage, and current is crucial for designing electrical systems and ensuring they operate efficiently and safely. The formula \( I = \frac{P}{V} \) is a fundamental tool in electrical engineering, but it's also important to consider the power factor when dealing with AC circuits.

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For AC power supply, amps are equal to watts divided by power factor times volts. amps = watts / (PF -- volts) For resistive load without inductors or capacitors, the power factor is equal to 1: amps = 1000W / (1 -- 120V) = 8.333A.read more >>