Which type of power is measured in watts?

Active power is indeed measured in watts. This type of power represents the actual power that performs useful work in an electrical circuit, such as lighting a bulb or powering a motor. It is the portion of power that is converted into usable energy, making it crucial for determining how much electricity is consumed by devices and how much energy is ultimately billed to the consumer.

Active power takes into account the phase relationship between voltage and current, which is essential for evaluating the real work being done in an electrical system. This contrasts with the other types of power, where reactive power relates to energy stored and released in inductive and capacitive components, apparent power combines both active and reactive power but does not solely account for the actual work done, and complex power encompasses both active and reactive components together. Therefore, recognizing active power's measurement in watts helps in understanding energy consumption and efficiency in electrical installations.