Describe wattage and voltage.• Explain power fluctuations and devices that protect against damage caused by fluctuations.

1. Wattage and Voltage:

Wattage is a measure of electrical power, which is the rate of energy transfer or conversion. It is expressed in watts (W) and is calculated by multiplying voltage (V) by current (I), according to the formula P=VI.

Voltage, on the other hand, is the electrical force that drives an electric current between two points. It is measured in volts (V) and is often referred to as electric potential difference.

2. Power Fluctuations:

Power fluctuations refer to any variation in the electrical power that can lead to unstable voltage levels. These fluctuations can be minor, such as a brief surge or spike in power, or major, like a power outage. They can be caused by various factors, including weather conditions, power grid issues, or large appliances switching on and off.

3. Devices that Protect Against Damage Caused by Fluctuations:

There are several devices designed to protect against damage caused by power fluctuations. These include:

a. Surge Protectors: These devices protect electrical appliances from voltage spikes by limiting the voltage supplied to an electric device by blocking or shorting to ground any unwanted voltages above a safe threshold.

b. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): A UPS provides emergency power and, depending on the topology, line regulation to connected equipment by supplying power from a separate source when utility power is not available. It is used to protect hardware such as computers, data centers, telecommunication equipment or other electrical equipment where an unexpected power disruption could cause injuries, fatalities, serious business disruption or data loss.

c. Voltage Regulators: These devices maintain a constant voltage level to a load, despite variations in the input voltage. They are used to protect equipment from under-voltage and over-voltage conditions.

d. Power Conditioners: These devices clean the power supply and ensure a smooth, uninterrupted power supply with a consistent voltage level. They are often used in professional audio and video applications to ensure a high level of signal integrity.