View source for Electrical efficiency

{{Short description|Useful power output per electrical power consumed}}
{{unreferenced|date=October 2008}}

The '''efficiency''' of a system in [[electronics]] and [[electrical engineering]] is defined as useful power output divided by the total electrical power consumed (a [[vulgar fraction|fractional]] [[Expression (mathematics)|expression]]), typically denoted by the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] small letter [[eta]] (η – ήτα).

: <math>

\mathrm{Efficiency}=\frac{\mathrm{Useful\ power\ output}}{\mathrm{Total\ power\ input}}
</math>
If energy output and input are expressed in the same units, efficiency is a [[dimensionless number]]. Where it is not customary or convenient to represent input and output energy in the same units, efficiency-like quantities have units associated with them.  For example, the [[heat rate (efficiency)|heat rate]] of a [[fossil fuel power station|fossil fuel power plant]] may be expressed in [[British thermal unit|BTU]] per [[kilowatt-hour]]. [[Luminous efficacy]] of a light source expresses the amount of visible light for a certain amount of power transfer and has the units of [[lumen (unit)|lumens]] per watt.

== Efficiency of typical electrical devices ==

''Efficiency'' should not be confused with ''[[effectiveness]]'': a system that wastes most of its input power but produces exactly what it is meant to is effective but not efficient. The term "efficiency" makes sense only in reference to the wanted effect. A [[light bulb]], for example, might have 2% efficiency at emitting light yet still be 98% efficient at heating a room (In practice it is nearly 100% efficient at heating a room because the light energy will also be converted to heat eventually, apart from the small fraction that leaves through the windows). An [[electronic amplifier]] that delivers 10 watts of power to its load (e.g., a [[loudspeaker]]), while drawing 20 watts of power from a power source is 50% efficient. (10/20 × 100 = 50%)
* Electric kettle: more than 90%{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} (comparatively little heat energy is lost during the 2 to 3 minutes a kettle takes to boil water).
* A premium efficiency electric motor: more than 90% ''(see Main Article: [[Premium efficiency]]).''
* A large power [[transformer]] used in the electrical grid may have efficiency of more than 99%. Early 19th century transformers were much less efficient, wasting up to a third of the energy passing through them.{{Citation needed|date=October 2014}}
* A [[Thermal power station|steam power plant]] used to generate [[electricity]] may have 30-40% efficiency.{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}}

== Efficiency of devices at point of maximum power transfer ==

As a result of the [[maximum power theorem]], devices transfer maximum power to a load when running at 50% electrical efficiency. This occurs when the load resistance (of the device in question) is equal to the internal [[Thévenin's theorem|Thevenin equivalent]] resistance of the power source.  This is valid only for non-reactive source and load impedances.

== Efficiency of light bulbs ==
{{details|Luminous efficacy}}
[[File:LampEfficiency.JPG|thumb|right|Diagram of efficiency for various types of lamps]]

== Discussion ==
High efficiency is particularly relevant in [[system]]s that can operate from [[Battery (electricity)|batteries]]. Inefficiency may require weighing the cost either of the wasted energy, or of the required [[power supply]], against the cost of attaining greater efficiency. Efficiency can usually be improved by choosing different components or by redesigning the system. Inefficiency probably produces extra heat within the system, which must be removed if it is to remain within its [[operating temperature]] range.  In a climate-controlled environment, like a home or office, heat generated by appliances may reduce heating costs or increase air conditioning costs.

[[Impedance bridging]] connections have a load impedance much larger than the source, which helps transfer voltage [[signals]] at high electrical efficiency.

== See also ==
* [[Antenna efficiency]]
* [[Efficient energy use]]
* [[Energy conversion efficiency]]
* [[Index of electronics articles]]
* [[Maximum power transfer theorem]]
* [[Mechanical efficiency]]
* [[Performance per watt]]
* [[Thermal efficiency]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-efficiency.htm Conversion: Energy efficiency in percent of passive loudspeakers to sensitivity in dB per watt and meter]
* [http://www.iea-4e.org 4E - International Energy Agency Implementing Agreement to promote energy efficiency and standards for electrical products worldwide]
*[http://www.ieee.li/pdf/essay/load_power_sources_for_peak_efficiency_edn_1979_10_05.pdf Load Power Sources for Peak Efficiency, EDN 1979 October 5]
*[http://www.postreh.com/vmichal/papers/Peak-Efficiency_Detection_DC_DC.pdf System for the Peak Efficiency detection, IEEE TPEL]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Electrical Efficiency}}
[[Category:Electrical engineering]]
[[Category:Energy economics]]

[[de:Wirkungsgrad]]
[[ru:Коэффициент полезного действия]]