Volts and millivolts are units of measurement used to quantify electrical potential difference, which is the force that drives electric current through a circuit. Here’s an explanation of each term:
Volts are the standard unit of measurement for electrical potential difference, also known as voltage. Voltage represents the electric potential energy difference between two points in an electrical circuit.
It measures how much work is required to move an electric charge from one point to another. One volt is defined as the potential difference across a conductor when one ampere of current flows through it, dissipating one watt of power.
Millivolts are a subunit of the volt, where “milli” means one-thousandth. Therefore, one millivolt (mV) is equal to one-thousandth of a volt (1 mV = 0.001 V). Millivolts are often used to measure small changes in voltage or for applications where the voltage levels are very low, such as in biological signals or sensors.
Converting volts to millivolts is a straightforward process, as millivolts are a subunit of volts. To convert volts to millivolts, you can use the following conversion factor:
1 volt (V) = 1000 millivolts (mV)
V(mV) = V(V) × 1000
Example – Convert 100 volts to millivolts
Ans. V(mV) = 100V × 1000 = 100000 mV
| Volts (V) | Millivolts (mV) |
| 0 V | 0 mV |
| 0.001 V | 1 mV |
| 0.01 V | 10 mV |
| 0.1 V | 100 mV |
| 1 V | 1000 mV |
To convert volts (V) to millivolts (mV), multiply the voltage value in volts by 1000. The formula is: Millivolts = Volts × 1000.
1 volt is equal to 1000 millivolts (mV).
12 volts (V) is equal to 12,000 millivolts (mV).
5 volts (V) is equal to 5000 millivolts (mV).
In the voltage drop formula, mV represents the voltage drop in millivolts across a cable or conductor due to its resistance and the current flowing through it. It is calculated using Ohm's law: Voltage Drop (mV) = Current (A) × Resistance (Ω).
Cable size is calculated based on factors like the maximum current the cable will carry, the allowable voltage drop, and the length of the cable run. To determine the cable size, you'll typically use engineering tables, software, or formulas that consider these factors to ensure efficient and safe power transmission. Factors like the type of insulation and the ambient temperature might also play a role in cable size calculation. Consulting with electrical standards and guidelines is crucial for accurate cable size determination.