OT another electric / electronics question

Voltage => hydraulic pressure
Current => flow rate
Power => rate at which work can be done, proportional to both pressure and flow

Both inductors and capacitors store energy.

The hydraulic analog of a capacitor is an accumulator, i.e., in an accumulator, energy is stored in the form a hydraulic fluid held under pressure in the accumulator. In a capacitor, energy is stored in the form of electrons held at some electrical pressure (voltage).

I've never seen a real good mechanical analogy to an inductor. Energy stored in an inductor is sort of analogous to the kinetic energy stored by a moving fluid. A water hammer in plumbing is an example of this. When I close the valve, the kinetic energy stored in the moving water within the pipe (the inertia of the moving fluid) causes a surge in pressure, resulting in a knock. In an inductor, you get a voltage pulse when the current flow is interrupted. The major difference is that in an inductor energy is stored in a magnetic field, rather than kinetic energy as in a moving fluid.

Hope this helps,

Keith

The same can be said for water in most cases (on a large scale). Just about all water systems, one way or another - depend on the closed-loop and water being returned to the system. If not, life would cease to exist on this planet. On a smaller scale - in dry areas - e.g. Austraila outback, some people have regenerative systems and get their drinking water from their septic systems. Doesn't sound very appealing.

Power (watts ) is a function of the votlage and the current. You can generate similar power using a higher supply voltage, and a lower operating current, and smaller wire, as compaired to using lower supply voltage, higher current, and heavier wire.

Take for example tractor electrical systems.

6v battery, 35w lamp, 5.83 amps

12v battery, 55w lamp, 4.58 amps

or stated in a comparison way

12v battery, 35w lamp, 2,91 amps

thus you could generate the same 35w worth of incandescent light using less than 3 amps on 12v, as you could using nearly 6 amps at 6v. thus menaing you could use a smaller wire diameter to run the 12v accessories. in factr.. that was a prime reason to move to 12v... it saves on copper..

Soundguy