BeginnerTopic 2 of 106Electrical Engineering

Current

The rate of flow of charge, I=dQ/dt, measured in amperes.

In depth

Current I=dQ/dt is the rate of flow of charge. Conventional current flows from positive to negative, opposite to electron motion. DC flows one way, AC alternates. Current is measured in series with an ammeter.

Key points

  • 1 A = 1 C/s
  • Current is the same through series elements
  • Current density J=I/A
Example

A phone charger delivering 2 A moves 2 C of charge each second.

Why it matters

Current is what delivers energy to a load and what heats wires, so it sets conductor size, fuse rating and battery capacity.

Where this is used

  • Choosing the wire gauge for a 20 A circuit.
  • Measuring the draw of a battery-powered sensor over time.
  • Checking the current taken by a motor during start-up.

Frequently asked questions

What is Current?

The rate of flow of charge, I=dQ/dt, measured in amperes.

Why is it important to understand current?

Current is what delivers energy to a load and what heats wires, so it sets conductor size, fuse rating and battery capacity.

What is the difference between conventional current and electron flow?

Conventional current is the flow of positive charge, which is the direction used in circuit analysis. Electrons move in the opposite direction.

Why do we use amperes for current?

An ampere is one coulomb per second, a practical unit defined by the force between two current-carrying wires.

How is Current used in practice?

Typical applications include choosing the wire gauge for a 20 A circuit, measuring the draw of a battery-powered sensor over time and checking the current taken by a motor during start-up.

What should I learn before Current?

Study "Electric charge" first (topic 1 of 106 in Electrical Engineering). It covers the groundwork this topic builds on.

What are the key points of Current?

1 A = 1 C/s. Current is the same through series elements. Current density J=I/A.

Can you give an example of Current?

A phone charger delivering 2 A moves 2 C of charge each second.

What comes after Current?

The next topic is "Voltage", which builds directly on this one.

How difficult is Current?

It is classed as Beginner in Electrical Engineering (topic 2 of 106). It is an entry-level topic. It relies only on basic school mathematics and the ideas introduced earlier in this discipline.

Learning path

Want to practise? Open the interactive course for quick checks, quizzes, simulations and progress tracking.

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