What does a watt-hour meter measure?

What does a watt-hour meter measure?

• A. The amount of voltage used
• B. The total current in a circuit
• C. The amount of energy consumed over time
• D. The resistance of the electrical system

Answer: (C)

A watt-hour meter measures the amount of energy consumed over time. This is a critical function that allows users to understand their electricity usage and is commonly found in residential and commercial settings. The device calculates energy consumption by continuously recording the amount of power being used (in watts) and the duration of its use (in hours), providing a measurement in watt-hours. Understanding this measurement is essential because it directly correlates with the billing of electricity usage. Utility companies charge customers based on the total energy consumed over a specific period; hence, the watt-hour meter provides the data necessary for accurate billing. The other options focus on different electrical properties that are not measured by a watt-hour meter. For example, voltage refers to the electrical potential difference, current measures the flow of electric charge, and resistance evaluates how much a circuit opposes the flow of current. None of these aspects directly relate to the total energy consumption in the same manner that watt-hour measurements do.

A watt-hour meter measures the amount of energy consumed over time. This is a critical function that allows users to understand their electricity usage and is commonly found in residential and commercial settings. The device calculates energy consumption by continuously recording the amount of power being used (in watts) and the duration of its use (in hours), providing a measurement in watt-hours.

Understanding this measurement is essential because it directly correlates with the billing of electricity usage. Utility companies charge customers based on the total energy consumed over a specific period; hence, the watt-hour meter provides the data necessary for accurate billing.

The other options focus on different electrical properties that are not measured by a watt-hour meter. For example, voltage refers to the electrical potential difference, current measures the flow of electric charge, and resistance evaluates how much a circuit opposes the flow of current. None of these aspects directly relate to the total energy consumption in the same manner that watt-hour measurements do.