Volt
The unit of electrical pressure pushing current through a circuit. US homes run on 120 volts for everyday outlets and 240 volts for heavy appliances.
If amps are flow, volts are pressure. The utility delivers residential power as two 120-volt legs; standard outlets and lights use one leg (120V), while dryers, ranges, water heaters, EV chargers and AC condensers use both legs together (240V). That is why heavy-appliance outlets look different: they are wired across both legs with a double-pole breaker.
Voltage also explains a family of common symptoms. Lights that dim when the AC kicks on, or readings well below 120 at an outlet, point to voltage drop or a loose service connection, which is worth a professional look rather than a shrug.
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- Watt & Kilowatt : The unit of electrical power: volts multiplied by amps.
- Kilowatt-Hour (kWh) : The unit your utility bills you for: one kilowatt of power used for one hour.
- Electrical Load : Everything drawing power in your home at a given moment, and by extension the calculated demand your service and panel must be sized to handle.