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Home / Technical Articles / Heat vs. Current in a Resistor

Energy can never be destroyed

It is converted from one form to another. One of the most familiar forms of energy is heat.

Heat vs. Current in a Resistor (photo by Karen Blaha via Flickr)
Heat vs. Current in a Resistor (photo by Karen Blaha via Flickr)

When a current (I) is forced through a resistor (R) by applying a potential (V), the electrical energy is converted to heat energy as observed by the rise in temperature of the resistor. Remember that power is the rate at which energy is consumed.

The energy dissipated in the resistor then is equivalent to the power it consumes multiplied by the length of time current is flowing. In this case, electrical power (in units of Watts) consumed by a resistor is equivalent to the product of applied Voltage and the Current flowing through it. This is called active or real power.

Note: Heat is only produced by a resistive load (electrical friction) and not in an inductive or capacitive load.

The value of the real power (P) consumed by the resistor is:

Power = Voltage x Current (P = V x I)

Since we already know that an applied Voltage (V) is required to force Current (I) through a resistor (R), another way of defining Power is:

Power = (Current)2 x Resistance (P = I2 x R)


Figure 1 - Heat vs. Current in a Resistor
Figure 1 – Heat vs. Current in a Resistor

Note: Real power only occurs when the magnitude of the voltage and current increase and decrease at exactly the same rate as illustrated below.

This is called being in-phase and will only happen for a resistive load.
Figure 2 - Real Power Volts and Amps
Figure 2 – Real Power Volts and Amps

At any time in an AC circuit the instantaneous power flow in the product of the voltage and the current. In AC circuits the power flow is not constant, but fluctuates with the voltage and current.

The integral of the power with respect to time is the energy delivered to the load. In a purely resistive circuit the product of voltage and current is always positive. In the course of one complete AC cycle energy is delivered to the load.

Reference: Science and Reactor Fundamentals – Electrical CNSC Technical Training Group

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Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

9 Comments


  1. vikram ahuja
    May 16, 2014

    this is very easy article. I easily understand concepts. and language is not difficult..


  2. Mohamed Alhashemi
    Mar 10, 2014

    I liked the article and found it refreshing, my question is why the reactive power dont produce heat?


  3. Bobishmp
    Oct 15, 2013

    Its an excellent article..We have to understand that basic and simplicity is better than any other complicated scrap..


  4. jackyl_83sg
    Oct 10, 2013

    Instead of complainting others, why not appreciate the publisher effort.

    Thank you for writing this article


  5. tsinasanthony
    Oct 05, 2013

    It is a beautifule article! Sometimes we have to remember basic laws because we trend to forget them. Thank you!


  6. Raihan Uddin Ahmed
    Oct 04, 2013

    now it is given that a capacitor incorporates a small amount of resistance in series with it and as in the case of an inductor it comes with a small amount of Parallel resistance.
    the formula for power can be written in terms of current through of voltage across. In case of parallel resistance this would become sufficiently significant and it has to be taken to account. So if the author clarifies his opinion it would be convenient


  7. solow46
    Oct 04, 2013

    Who wrote this rubbish?


    • Edvard
      Oct 04, 2013

      Thank you for the kind words Solow46. I wrote this technical article. Do you have some problem with it?


      • shafibhai
        Oct 06, 2013

        Sir,
        I’m new to this site and after reading the author description i think u might help me. I graduated in Electrical & Electronics Engg. how and what skill do i need to develop to succeed any sources or whatever. Can u please guide me.

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