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Electrical current
Converts the cooling rate to electrical current at the circuit voltage.
The Formula
amps = BTU / 3.412142 / voltage
Converts the cooling rate to electrical current at the circuit voltage.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Current | amps | The electrical draw of the unit. |
| Q | Cooling load | BTU per hour | The heat removal rate. |
| 3.412142 | BTU to watts | unitless | One watt equals 3.412142 BTU per hour. |
| V | Voltage | volts | The circuit voltage, usually 120 or 240. |
What Each Symbol Means
Iamps
Current
The electrical draw of the unit.
QBTU per hour
Cooling load
The heat removal rate.
3.412142unitless
BTU to watts
One watt equals 3.412142 BTU per hour.
Vvolts
Voltage
The circuit voltage, usually 120 or 240.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate air conditioner size page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Air Conditioner Size, filed under Everyday Life. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.