Let's say you have a device that is rated at the following:
- 550 amps @ 12Vdc (heat)
- Max Voltage = 48Vdc (insulation material max voltage rating)
I am mainly concerned with the heat, we could say the device is able to handle:
550A x 12V = 6,600 Watts
So if you use the same power to determine how much current it can handle at 24Volts, would the statements below be true?
Current x 24V = 6,600 Watts
Current = 275A
275Amps @ 24Vdc?
Current x 48V = 6,600 Watts
Current = 137.5A
137.5Amps @ 48Vdc?
Best Answer
Double the voltage, halve the current for the same power.
As you hold the power constant then your example is true.
Just as expected, that's why high power systems tend to have high voltage instead of high current as insulation is cheaper than metal conductor...