Electrical reference chart
Electrical Unit Conversion Chart
Use this electrical unit conversion chart after the calculator result to document original value, target unit, prefix conversion, and magnitude check before entering another calculator.
Quick reference table
Most electrical calculator mistakes start with mismatched units. Use checks such as 500 mA = 0.5 A, 2 kW = 2,000 W, and 3 kWh = 3,000 Wh before calculation, then keep voltage, current, power, energy, resistance, capacitance, and frequency units labeled in the worksheet.
Common electrical unit prefixes
| Prefix | Symbol | Multiplier | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| micro | u | 0.000001 | 10 uF = 0.00001 F |
| milli | m | 0.001 | 500 mA = 0.5 A |
| kilo | k | 1,000 | 2 kW = 2,000 W |
| mega | M | 1,000,000 | 5 Mohm = 5,000,000 ohms |
| kilowatt-hour | kWh | 1,000 Wh | 3 kWh = 3,000 Wh |
Unit family checks before calculator entry
| Quantity | Common units | Do not confuse with |
|---|---|---|
| Current | A, mA | Power in W or kW |
| Power | W, kW, hp, VA, kVA | Energy in Wh or kWh |
| Energy | Wh, kWh | Instantaneous power in W or kW |
| Resistance | ohm, kohm, Mohm | Reactance unless the AC model needs it |
| Capacitance | F, uF, nF, pF | Charge or energy storage without the right formula |
Electrical unit conversion handoff
| Search or worksheet need | Use this chart for | Open the calculator when |
|---|---|---|
| mA to A or A to mA | Moving current values into the unit expected by a formula | The converted current will be used with voltage, resistance, or power |
| uF to F, nF to F, or pF to F | Converting capacitance before RC timing or reactance work | Capacitance, frequency, timing, or energy must be calculated |
| W, kW, VA, kVA, and kWh | Keeping power, apparent power, and energy from being mixed | Power factor, runtime, or billing energy changes the result |
| ohm, kohm, and Mohm | Checking prefix direction before entering resistance | Ohm law, divider, RC, or insulation-resistance context is needed |
How to use this chart
Read the field label
Check whether the calculator expects amps, milliamps, watts, kilowatts, ohms, kilohms, microfarads, hertz, or another unit.
Convert prefixes first
Move micro, milli, kilo, mega, and other prefix values into the unit expected by the calculator before entering the number.
Check magnitude after conversion
After the calculator result, compare the converted value with the original label so decimal-place or prefix mistakes are caught early.
Formula basis
micro = 0.000001, milli = 0.001, kilo = 1,000, mega = 1,000,000. Convert to the unit expected by the formula before entering values.
- Base voltage unit is volt.
- Base current unit is ampere.
- Base power unit is watt.
- Base energy unit for billing work is commonly kilowatt-hour.
Worked examples
Convert milliamps to amps
A 750 mA load is 0.75 A. Use 0.75 A in formulas that expect amperes rather than milliamperes.
Convert microfarads to farads
A 47 uF capacitor is 0.000047 F. Use the farad value in formulas that expect base capacitance units.
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Frequently asked questions
These answers explain how to use the chart without turning a quick reference into a final design decision.