1. What is the Battery Capacity Calculation?

The battery capacity calculation converts watt-hours (Wh) to ampere-hours (Ah) using the battery's nominal voltage. This is essential for comparing batteries with different voltages and understanding their energy storage capacity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the basic electrical equation:

Where:

• \( Wh \) — Watt-hours (energy capacity)
• \( V \) — Nominal voltage of the battery
• \( Ah \) — Ampere-hours (charge capacity)

Explanation: This simple conversion allows you to determine how much current a battery can deliver over time based on its energy capacity and voltage.

3. Importance of Battery Capacity

Details: Knowing both Wh and Ah ratings is crucial for selecting the right battery for your application, especially when comparing batteries with different voltages or designing power systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the watt-hour rating (typically provided by DigiKey or the manufacturer) and the battery's nominal voltage. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why convert Wh to Ah?
A: Ah is often more useful for circuit design as it directly relates to current draw and runtime calculations.

Q2: What's the difference between Wh and Ah?
A: Wh measures energy capacity (power × time), while Ah measures charge capacity (current × time). Wh accounts for voltage differences between batteries.

Q3: Where do I find the Wh rating?
A: DigiKey product pages typically list Wh in the specifications. If not provided, you can calculate it as Wh = Ah × V.

Q4: Does this work for all battery types?
A: Yes, the calculation applies to lithium-ion, lead-acid, NiMH, and other battery chemistries as long as you use the correct nominal voltage.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides theoretical capacity. Actual capacity may vary based on discharge rate, temperature, and battery age.