# P=VI and V=IR??? Confusion!

Discussion in 'Homework Help' started by Engr Mick, Apr 6, 2014.

1. ### Engr Mick Thread Starter New Member

Jan 29, 2014
11
2
According to Ohm's Law, Current increases, when Voltage increases,(I=V/R), But Current decreases, when Voltage increases according to (P=VI). Explain?

2. ### ericgibbs AAC Fanatic!

Jan 29, 2010
2,697
427
hi Mick,
Ohms Law states that the Current is directly proportional to the applied Voltage and inversely proportional to the Resistance.

The Equation is: I = V/R

In a circuit if you have a Fixed value of P, then the Current will decrease as the Voltage increases, otherwise the Fixed value of P would change

E

3. ### ericgibbs AAC Fanatic!

Jan 29, 2010
2,697
427
hi Mick,
As an example, say you wanted a resistor to be heated so that it dissipates 100Watts.

You could have a voltage supply of 100V and the current would have to be 1Amp
If you have a current source that has only a 0.5A output, you would have to increase the voltage to 200V in order to maintain the 100Watts.

E

4. ### amilton542 Active Member

Nov 13, 2010
495
64
Another way of looking at it is that in any circuit it will obey the law of energy conservation.

Assume a voltage source V connected in series to a load resistance R:

Then let $P_0=-V_0 I_0$ be the power supplied by the source, the power absorbed by the load will be $P_1=V_1I_1$ assuming ideal conditions.

The parameters will adjust to suit.

5. ### #12 Expert

Nov 30, 2010
16,852
7,501
The point you're over looking is the phrase, "For a given wattage".

For a fixed amount of watts, the current needed will be less if the applied voltage is increased.

Of course, this demands that the resistance of the circuit be larger to support the increased voltage at the lower current, but this isn't (usually) how you design circuits. This is how you check your design to see if it will smoke. You learn Watt's Law and then set it aside until you need it to design a heater or double check a voltage design.

6. ### Ramussons Active Member

May 3, 2013
581
96

You are trying to compare 2 different parameters.

Ohms law, as you have put it is I = V/R.

The other equation is Power P = Voltage V x Current I