What does a watt meter directly measure?

A watt meter is specifically designed to measure electrical power in a circuit, which is expressed in watts. Power is a function of both voltage and current, and the watt meter takes into account the instantaneous values of voltage and current to calculate the overall power consumption or production in an electrical system. The relationship described by the formula ( P = VI ) (where P is power, V is voltage, and I is current) highlights that power measurement is dependent on both voltage and current parameters.

While a watt meter involves various components that relate to voltage and current, its primary role is to provide a direct measurement of power, which makes it a critical tool in both residential and industrial settings for monitoring energy usage and efficiency.