How is a watt (W) defined?

A watt is defined as a measure of electrical power. Specifically, it quantifies the rate at which energy is used or produced in an electrical circuit. One watt is equivalent to one joule of energy per second. This definition highlights the role of watts in understanding the efficiency and demand of electrical devices, as it directly correlates to how much electrical energy is converted into work or heat in that time frame.

When considering electrical systems, knowing the power in watts helps in determining energy consumption, sizing electrical components, and ensuring systems are running efficiently without overloading. The watt is crucial for performance evaluations, and it is a standard unit included in electrical specifications across various applications, from household appliances to industrial machinery.