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Power rating — Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology Definition

Home
Design and Technology
Key terms
Power rating

GCSE Design and Technology · key term

Power rating

Definition

The maximum power a component is designed to dissipate safely under specified conditions, measured in watts (W).

Used by Edexcel

How each exam board covers it

Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology · 1DT0

Specification 5.2.5, 5.5.1 · Paper 1

A resistor can have the correct resistance but still be unsuitable because its power rating is too low.
Revise: Component Tolerances, Ratings and Resistor Colour Codes
The maximum power a component can safely dissipate under its specified operating conditions, measured in watts (W).
Revise: Component Stock Forms and Types

Edexcel Design and Technology past papers

Exam tips

1
Distinguish a component’s value from its rating: resistance in Ω is not the same as power rating in W.

Related key terms

Component value
Rating
Tolerance
Capacitance
E12 series

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Printed circuit board (PCB)

Resistor colour code

Surface-mount technology (SMT)