The word " amperage " is the number of amps that make an electronic device work. Amps are the way to measure electrical current intensity. It is important not to confuse intensity with power or voltage, since each one measures different concepts.
Therefore, it is a term used mainly in the world of electronics and electricity, since it is important how much “amperage” a certain electronic conduit has.
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The amperage serves, for example, to determine the amount of electrical energy that certain electrical appliances need to work, this amount being important to know if the demand can be met.
Meaning
Definition
The Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (DRAE) defines “amperage” as the amount of amperes with which an electrical device or system works.
Amperage is determined by the amount of electrons or electrical current that passes through a conductor, something comparable to the amount of water per unit of time that passes through a hose, for example. The unit of amperage is the ampere.
Difference with voltage and power
For its part, electric current is characterized by some characteristics of its own, such as intensity, power or voltage.
Voltage is the number of electrons that flow through the conduit for that unit of time. It would be, following the example mentioned, the intensity with which the water jet comes out of the hose. Voltage is measured in volts while power is expressed in watts per hour or kilowatt hours.
According to the International System of Units, this intensity is measured in amperes, whose symbol is "A". Meanwhile, electrical devices can be classified according to their amperage, that is, according to the energy they need from the electrical network, operating in normal environments without any type of problem that affects it.
The voltage of the supply networks is not the same throughout the planet, since in the United States, for example, it is 110V, while in Europe, it is 220-230 volts.
This explanation of the different actors in electricity is important to understand what role each one occupies and not to confuse them.
Voltage measures the electrical potential that is available but not the amount that is used. Meanwhile, with the "amperage" it is possible to establish the amount of electrons that come out of the electrical cables to the devices we use.
Importance of amperage
Where the amount of "amperage" to use is very important is in welding processes. In these cases, it is the parameter that has the greatest influence on the automatic submerged arc welding process, because it feeds the speed of the wire as it melts and allows the penetration of the deposit to be regulated according to the intensity applied.
Another example where “amperage” is important is in mobile chargers. Not all devices are identical, so not all batteries are the same. When an original mobile charger is purchased, it is ensured that it has the characteristics of the battery made by the same manufacturer.
So the correct amount of amperage will be ensured, avoiding overloads that occur when buying cheaper generic chargers that end up damaging the battery.
Another object where the “amperage” factor is clear is in the fuses of a car battery. These are tiny pieces of metal that are covered in a brightly colored plastic capsule.
What you see on the outside is a number, which reflects the "amperage" it supports. This serves to be able to quickly identify it by color and number at the time of a check of the car's electrical system.
Usage examples
- "The rapid battery recharge technology consists of an injection of higher amperage that makes it possible to obtain full charges in a matter of an hour and a half."
- "The police explained that the Tasers emit electrical impulses of high voltage, low amperage and short duration."
- "I don't know what battery to buy for my car, because I can't see what amperage it is."
References
- Amperage. (2019). Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy. Recovered from: dle.rae.es
- Napoleón Murillo García. (1987). "Tractors and agricultural machinery". Recovered from: books.google.ba
- Pere Morera Solà. (1992). "Industrial welding: classes and applications". Recovered from: books.google.ba