The product of volts and amps is known as what type of power?

The product of volts and amps refers to the calculation of apparent power in an electrical system, which is measured in volt-amperes (VA). Apparent power represents the total power flowing in an AC circuit, encompassing both the real power, which does useful work, and the reactive power, which oscillates back and forth between the source and the load.

In an AC circuit, when you multiply voltage (in volts) by current (in amps), you obtain apparent power, which reflects the total amount of power available in the circuit. This is crucial for understanding how much power the system can provide without considering the phase angle between voltage and current.

Active power, on the other hand, is the actual power consumed or used to perform work in the circuit. Reactive power deals with energy that is temporarily stored and released by inductors and capacitors. True power and active power are terms often used interchangeably, but they are more closely related to real power.

In summary, recognizing that volts multiplied by amps gives you apparent power is essential for analyzing and understanding AC circuits, making it vital for any electrical apprentice to grasp this concept fully.