How to Calculate the Wattage for a Double Pole

Wattage, or watts, is a measure of the rate at which electricity is consumed by a device. This rate depends on the voltage of the circuit and the amps being delivered. A double pole circuit is designed to deliver 240 volts in North America. Because we already know one number in the formula, we only need to determine the amps being delivered. This is done by using a clamp-on amp meter on the hot wire.

Clamp-on amp meter

Instructions

- 1
  Locate the hot wire for the device you want to measure. In a 240-volt circuit, this is either the red or black wire. Never touch the bare metal connections or electrocution could occur.
- 2
  Wrap the clamp-on amp meter's arms around the hot wire's insulation by pressing the button on the side of the unit.
- 3
  Turn on the meter and adjust its dial to read amps (A).
- 4
  Activate the device. Read the amps from the display on the meter.
- 5
  Multiply the amps by 240. The result is the amount of watts of power the device consumes.

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