Basic Voltage Knowledge: What Does Voltage Mean?

Voltage, also known as electromotive force, defines the potential difference in charge between any two points of the electrical force. The greater voltage means a greater flow of electrical current through any medium. In order to get a complete understanding of electronic devices, you need to know all the essential electrical terms. This guide focuses on what does voltage measures and how to choose the best solar generator based on the voltage required.

Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations have reasonable wattage and voltage to power small and large electrical devices. For example, the Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station has a high 3024 Wh battery capacity and a massive 3000W output to charge 99% of indoor and outdoor appliances. Similarly, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Portable Power Station has a 2160Wh capacity and can supply steady power to 96% of electrical devices.

What Is Voltage?

A voltage is the pressure that pushes the electric current or electricity. Volt (V) is the electrical unit that indicates the amount of voltage. All the electrical appliances are designed to operate at specific voltages. This means excessive voltage can damage the circuits.

Here is an example of voltage in a simple DC (direct current) circuit.

In the DC circuit, the switch is turned on. Here, the voltage in the power source (the potential difference between the two ends or poles of the battery) is activated, which creates pressure, forcing electrons to flow when the current moves to the negative terminal. The current reaches the light and makes it glow. Lastly, the current returns to the power source.

Voltage and current are two electrical terms that have specific differences. For example, voltage is the ability to cause electricity to flow. On the other hand, current is the rate at which electrons flow. In other words, current (I) is the effect caused by voltage (V). Higher voltages can be typically dangerous as they have the potential to cause electric burns or electric shock. Here are the key differences between high and low voltage.

• High Voltage: It's the form of electricity with higher potential energy and can power larger devices. When working with high voltages, you need to follow proper safety measures.
• Low Voltage: It has lower potential energy and typically powers smaller devices. Generally, lower voltages are less dangerous compared to high voltages.

What Does Voltage Measure?

Voltage measurement is the simple process that determines the electrical potential between two points of any circuit. It is an essential factor that ensures the safe and efficient operation of the devices. A voltmeter is a handheld device that measures the voltage or potential difference between two (positive and negative) terminals.

There are many ways to measure voltage, like a voltmeter and a multimeter. Digital multimeters are one of the easiest ways to measure voltage along with other electrical units like amps and ohms. Now that you know what does voltage measures, here's how to measure it with the help of a digital multimeter.

• Step 1: The first step is to put the black lead into the COM slot and the red into the V slot on the multimeter.
• Step 2: Next, select the AC or DC voltage mode with the center selection dial. The straight line and three dots represent DC, whereas the wavy line determines AC voltage. All you need to do is turn the knob to the voltage type you wish to measure.
• Step 3: Set the range above the voltage you want to measure. For example, if you measure a 12V battery, you can turn the dial to 20V for an accurate reading.
• Step 4: If you have placed the leads on the correct terminals and have set the proper range and voltage settings, the multimeter will display the accurate voltage reading.

Note: It the multimeter reads 1 or there is any negative symbol next to the reading, you can either adjust the range or simply reverse the lead connections.

What Tools to Measure Voltage?

A multimeter is designed to represent electric current, voltage, and even resistance. The device is either made up of digital or analog meters, resistors, batteries, and other circuitry.

Here are the steps to measure voltage with the help of an analog multimeter.

• Step 1:Select the DC or AC voltage mode, depending on the electrical circuit you want to test. The DC voltage is indicated by a straight line with dots, whereas the AC voltage is represented by a wavy line. The AC and DC voltages are sometimes represented by ACV and DCV, respectively.
• Step 2:Find the regular voltage and set the middle needle dial to one level above. Choosing a higher range prevents damage from having a low setting for a high voltage.
• Step 3: Attach the red probe to the positive terminal and the black end to the negative terminal. Sometimes, it is recommended to connect the black probe to the terminal but only touch the red probe to the positive end.
• Step 4:Now, you can check the needle to see if the multimeter displays the correct voltage. You'll see various voltage levels behind the needle, where you have to choose the row corresponding to the earlier voltage range of your choice. Finally, take down the measurement. You can even repeat the test a few times so the needle reads accurately.

Here's how to measure voltage by voltmeter. Like a multimeter, the DC voltage is represented by a straight line or DCV, and AC voltage is typically characterized by a way line or ACV in a voltmeter. The DC voltage is associated with small batteries or electronics, whereas the AC voltage is associated with grids or outlets.

You can set the voltage range to one setting higher and plug the probes in the correct place. Before proceeding, test the voltmeter by touching the red and black probes together. If it reads 0, the voltmeter is working appropriately. Finally, connect the probes to the corresponding terminal and read the display.

Jackery Portable Power Stations Explained

The battery voltage is a fundamental characteristic of the battery and determines the chemical reactions, battery polarization, and concentration of the battery components. When the voltage is calculated in equilibrium conditions, it is typically called nominal battery voltage. Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations feature NMC or LiFePO4 batteries with different watt-hour, amp-hour, and volt ratings. These power stations can be recharged via Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels.

The solar panels collect the sunlight and then convert the solar energy into DC electricity. The battery or power station features a pure sine wave inverter that converts DC to AC electricity, which powers the electrical appliances. They are compact and have a larger battery capacity to charge most electrical appliances with stable power. The battery backups are ideal for indoor and outdoor use as they do not emit noise or toxic fumes.

Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station

The ultimate Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station has a large NMC battery of 3024Wh and 43.2V DC. It can charge small and large appliances effectively, making the battery backup a great home backup solution. You can power the battery in multiple ways, including Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels, an AC outlet, and a car adapter.

Customer Review

"Since we live in CA, we use this unit to keep the fridges, computers, etc., powered during power outages. Love having the confidence of being able to power pretty much everything I need during an outage." — Jimmy R.

Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Portable Power Station 

Like the Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro Portable Power Station, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Portable Power Station has a large NMC battery of 2160Wh and 43.2V DC. It can power 96% of your electrical appliances and can be recharged in 2.5 hours via 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels.

Customer Review

"Easy to charge. Perfect for our condo, where we cannot have an outdoor generator. It will let us have heat in the bedroom and run a CPAP machine." — Audrey Bell.

Jackery Explorer 1500 Pro Portable Power Station

The lighter yet powerful Jackery Explorer 1500 Pro Portable Power Station has an NMC battery capacity of 1512Wh and 43.2V DC voltage. The battery backup can charge 95% of indoor or outdoor appliances, so you never run out of power. The power station can be restored in only 4 hours via 6*Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panels.

Customer Review

"I actually used it for the first time this past weekend while camping. I was pleasantly surprised by how long the battery lasts. I had several electronics plugged in all weekend, and by the time I packed up to head home, I still had plenty of juice left." — RYAN W.

Voltage and Electrical Safety

All electrical systems have some potential to cause harm. While high voltage is used in many industrial systems, it involves some dangers.

• Electric Shock: Whenever anyone comes in contact with a high-voltage electrical source, the electric current can flow through the body and interfere with normal electrical signals.
• Burns: It's a common and serious injury caused by high-voltage electrical accidents. These burns can damage the tissues beneath the skin, muscles, blood vessels, and nerves.
• Explosions and Fire: When electrical equipment is overheated, there is a risk of sparking and can even ignite nearby flammable materials that cause a fire.

Like high voltage, low voltage can also lead to potential hazards. Some common causes of low voltage include loose connections, overloading on the network, etc. These factors can cause dimming of your lights and, in extreme cases, lead to electric shocks from home surfaces or metal appliances.

What Does Voltage Measure FAQs

What is the symbol of voltage?

The symbol for voltage is the letter V or E. The standard unit of measurement for voltage is the volt, represented by the letter V.

What is voltage on a multimeter?

Your multimeter will typically have two voltage symbols around its dial. One is the "ACV" symbol, which denotes AC voltage. The other one is the "DCV" symbol for DC voltage. The "V" represents the AC voltage symbol with a"∿"over the V. On the other hand, the DC voltage symbol will be a "V," denoted with a solid and dashed line over the V.

How do you measure DC voltage and current?

Many tools like voltmeters or multimeters are available to measure the DC voltage and current. Sometimes, the electric current is also measured by an ammeter.

What is the best instrument to measure voltage?

A multimeter is one of the best electronic instruments to measure voltage. It is mainly used to measure the three basic electrical units: voltage, current, and resistance.

What are the 4 basic units of electricity?

The four basic units of electricity include volts, amps, watts, and ohms.

• Volts (V):The unit measures the work required to move a charge from one point to another.
• Amps (A): This unit represents the charge that passes through an electric circuit per unit of time.
• Watts (W):Watts are critical electrical units that measure the power produced from electrical circuits.
• Ohms (Ω):The ohms measure the amount of resistance that calculates the flow of electrons in an electrical circuit.

Final Thoughts

Voltage is essential in the electrical circuit and helps everyone understand the device's charging requirements. For example, if you are powering the electrical appliances with the help of a portable power station or battery backup, you'll need to choose one with reasonable wattage and voltage to power most appliances.

Now that you know what does voltage measures, it's time to choose the best battery backup. One of the portable and highly efficient solar battery backups is the Jackery Solar Generator. It's a safe, clean, and eco-friendly choice that can power most small and large appliances. The ultimate Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro has a battery of 3024Wh and 43.2V to power 99% of your electrical appliances.