Amps to Amp-Hours Calculator
Convert current (Amps) to charge capacity (Amp-Hours)
Table of Contents
How to Use
- Enter the current in amps (A)
- Enter the time duration in hours (h)
- Click calculate to see the result in amp-hours (Ah)
What is Amp-Hours?
Amp-hours (Ah) is a unit of electric charge that represents the amount of electrical charge transferred by a steady current of one ampere flowing for one hour. It's commonly used to specify the energy storage capacity of batteries.
The formula is simple: Amp-Hours (Ah) = Current (A) × Time (h). For example, a 2A current flowing for 5 hours equals 10 Ah of charge.
Practical Applications
- Calculating battery capacity for electrical systems
- Determining how long a battery will last under a specific load
- Sizing batteries for solar power systems
- Estimating charging time for rechargeable batteries
- Planning power requirements for off-grid applications
Understanding Battery Capacity
When a battery is rated at 100Ah, it means it can theoretically deliver 100 amps for 1 hour, 10 amps for 10 hours, or 1 amp for 100 hours. However, actual performance may vary based on discharge rate, temperature, and battery age.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I convert amps to amp-hours?
- Multiply the current in amps by the time in hours. For example, 5 amps flowing for 3 hours equals 15 amp-hours (5A × 3h = 15Ah).
- What's the difference between amps and amp-hours?
- Amps (A) measure the rate of electrical current flow, while amp-hours (Ah) measure the total amount of charge. Think of amps as speed and amp-hours as distance traveled.
- Can I use this to calculate battery runtime?
- Yes, if you know your battery's amp-hour rating and the current draw of your device, you can estimate runtime by dividing the battery capacity (Ah) by the current draw (A).