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Kilowatt-hours
Abbreviation/Symbol:
kWh
Unit of:
Energy and power
Worldwide use:
Widely used in electricity generation and distribution of electricity to domestic customers
Definition:
A kilowatt hour is equivalent to a power of 1,000 Watts being applied for an hour
Origin:
The kilowatt hour was originally known in the UK as the Board of Trade unit. This term derives from the name of the board that regulated the electricity industry in the UK until 1942
Common references:
A 100W light bulb left on continually for a year (in a non-leap-year) generates 876kW
Usage context:
Kilowatt hours are commonly used for measuring electrical power - particularly in domestic electricity supply and usage
Component units:
Can be divided into watt hours
Multiples:
There are 1,000 Kilowatt hours in a Megawatt hour , 1,000,000 in a Gigawatt hour, etc.