Aqua UV 57W only Drawing 42W?

roberthu526 · Dec 18, 2018

Hi everyone, I recently bought an Aqua Uv 57W model off of Amazon. However after I set it up I noticed from the Apex panel it shows that the UV only draws 42 - 43 W. Is this normal? I have another Pentair UV that is labeled at 120W and it draws 116 W according to Apex. So I wonder if the lamp that came with the UV is under rated or broken.

If anyone with the 57 W model could chime in I’d really appreciate it!

TheEngineer · Dec 18, 2018

I wouldn't be too worried, personally. The Apex does calculations behind the scenes to adjust their power readouts which I can't recall at the moment. AC power is a bit more complex than just P=I^2*R. In an AC circuit, power readouts are averages, not the instantaneous reading. That's because AC (alternating current) is always alternating. Power is being consumed and power is being returned. Do a quick google search on AC power and you can get into the weeds, if you'd like.

roberthu526 · Dec 18, 2018

TheEngineer said:
I wouldn't be too worried, personally. The Apex does calculations behind the scenes to adjust their power readouts which I can't recall at the moment. AC power is a bit more complex than just P=I^2*R. In an AC circuit, power readouts are averages, not the instantaneous reading. That's because AC (alternating current) is always alternating. Power is being consumed and power is being returned. Do a quick google search on AC power and you can get into the weeds, if you'd like.

Thank you. I guess I am concerned because the 120W unit is showing 116W power consumption and this 57W is no where close to its labeled watt.