Battery Capacity Explained: Why Ah and Wh Are Not the Same > 자유게시판

When shopping for batteries—whether for a portable generator—you’ll frequently encounter two critical metrics: current capacity and energy capacity. These values indicate how much energy a battery can hold, but they represent distinct physical quantities—and knowing how they relate can significantly improve your decision-making.

Amp hours, or Ah, quantify the total charge output a battery can supply over time. For instance, a 10 Ah battery can deliver 1 amp for 10 hours. This metric gives you a rough idea of how long the battery will last—but it ignores potential energy. A 12 volt 10 amp hour and a 36V 10Ah have identical Ah ratings but differ significantly in total capacity.

Watt hours, or Wh, measure real energy capacity. It’s calculated by applying the simple equation volts times amp hours. So, a 12 volt 10 amp hour battery equals 120 units of energy, while a 36 volt 10 amp hour battery equals three times more energy. This means the 36V model holds considerably more energy. Watt hours enable accurate evaluations of how much work a battery can perform—independent of cell configuration.

Why does this matter? When evaluating power sources, always prioritize watt hours if you want to know which will last longer. Two batteries with the same amp hour value but unmatched potential will deliver unequal results. For example, a 20 Ah 12V battery and یو پی اس a 10 Ah 24V battery both provide 240 Wh, making them equal in capacity despite their radically different Ah numbers.

Some manufacturers advertise higher Ah numbers because the figures look more impressive, but Wh are the accurate metric for energy storage. Always check the voltage rating to convert Ah to Wh if it’s omitted. Leading manufacturers include both ratings, but if they don’t, you can easily calculate it yourself by multiplying volts by amp hours.

In summary, Ah describe charge delivery rate, while Wh reveal actual stored power. For accurate comparisons, always rely on total energy. Whether you’re selecting a battery for your RV, understanding this distinction helps you choose the right power source and protect your investment.