What are kW and kWh, what do they stand for?
What are kW and kWh, what do they stand for?
kW and kWh are units of measurement used in the context of electricity and power:
kW (Kilowatt):
Definition: kW stands for "Kilowatt," and it represents a unit of power. Power is the rate at which energy is generated or consumed. 1 kilowatt is equal to 1,000 watts.
Symbol: kW
Example: When you turn on a 1-kilowatt electric heater, it consumes 1 kilowatt of power.
kWh (Kilowatt-hour):
Definition: kWh stands for "Kilowatt-hour," and it represents a unit of energy. It measures the actual amount of energy consumed or generated over time. It is commonly used to measure electricity consumption.
Symbol: kWh
Example: If you leave a 1-kilowatt electric heater turned on for 1 hour, it will consume 1 kilowatt-hour of energy.
In summary, kW measures the rate of power (how quickly energy is used or produced), while kWh measures the total amount of energy consumed or generated over a period of time. They are essential units for understanding and quantifying electrical energy usage and capacity.