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How to Calculate Amps Required to Raise Water Temperature

Raising temperature of water requires energy. This energy is convenient to calculate in calories; one calorie is the amount of energy to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree. This physical process occurs over a period of time -- this allows you to compute the required electrical power required -- since power is a ratio of energy to time. On the other hand, the power is expressed as the product of voltage -- and the currency is expressed in amperes -- or amps.

Things You'll Need

Calculator

Instructions

- 1
  Multiply the mass of water by the temperature, to calculate the required energy in calories. For example, to raise the temperature of 500 grams of water by 10 degrees, you need to calculate: 500 x 10 = 5,000 calories.
- 2
  Multiply the energy in calories by 4.186 to convert it to joules (J). In this example, the energy is 5,000 x 4.186 = 20,930 J.
- 3
  Multiply the time in minutes by 60 to convert it to seconds. For example, if you need to raise the temperature in 5 minutes -- then 5 x 60 = 300 seconds.
- 4
  Divide the energy by the time, to calculate the electrical power needed. In this example, the required power is 20,930 / 300 = 69.8 Watts.
- 5
  Divide the electric power by the voltage to calculate the current in amperes required. For example, if the voltage is 100 Volts then the current is 69.8 / 100 = 0.698 amps.

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