A tool used to estimate the duration a battery can sustain a specific load or, conversely, to determine the necessary battery capacity for a desired runtime. It involves inputting the battery’s amp-hour (Ah) rating and the load current (amps) to compute the estimated runtime in hours. For example, a 100Ah battery supplying a 5-amp load will theoretically last for 20 hours, disregarding factors like temperature and Peukert’s Law.
This calculation is essential for various applications, including selecting appropriate batteries for uninterruptible power supplies, electric vehicles, and off-grid solar systems. Accurate capacity determination helps prevent premature battery depletion and ensures reliable power delivery. Historically, manual calculations were prone to errors, making automated tools invaluable for optimizing energy storage solutions.