Electrical Current Fundamentals

Definition

• Electrical current: the flow of electrons through a conductor, such as a wire
• Measured in amperes (A)

Types of Current

• Alternating Current (AC):
  • Periodically reverses direction
  • Commonly used in power distribution systems
  • Can be transformed to different voltages
• Direct Current (DC):
  • Flows in one direction only
  • Typically used in electronic devices

Current Flow

• Conductors: materials that allow current to flow (e.g., copper wire)
• Insulators: materials that resist current flow (e.g., rubber, glass)
• Semiconductors: materials with intermediate conductivity (e.g., silicon)

Factors Affecting Current

• Voltage: the force that drives current flow
• Resistance: opposition to current flow, measured in ohms (Ω)
• Conductance: the ease with which current flows, measured in siemens (S)

Current Measurement

• Ammeter: a device used to measure current
• Current density: the amount of current flowing through a given area, measured in amperes per square meter (A/m²)

Safety Considerations

• Electric shock: a hazard that can occur when a person comes into contact with a live electrical circuit
• Electrical grounding: a safety measure to prevent shock by providing a safe path to ground for electrical currents

Electrical Current

• Electrical current is the flow of electrons through a conductor, such as a wire, and is measured in amperes (A).

Types of Current

• Alternating Current (AC) periodically reverses direction, is commonly used in power distribution systems, and can be transformed to different voltages.
• Direct Current (DC) flows in one direction only and is typically used in electronic devices.

Current Flow

• Conductors, such as copper wire, allow current to flow.
• Insulators, such as rubber and glass, resist current flow.
• Semiconductors, such as silicon, have intermediate conductivity.

Factors Affecting Current

• Voltage is the force that drives current flow.
• Resistance, measured in ohms (Ω), opposes current flow.
• Conductance, measured in siemens (S), is the ease with which current flows.

Current Measurement

• An ammeter is a device used to measure current.
• Current density, measured in amperes per square meter (A/m²), is the amount of current flowing through a given area.

Safety Considerations

• Electric shock is a hazard that can occur when a person comes into contact with a live electrical circuit.
• Electrical grounding is a safety measure to prevent shock by providing a safe path to ground for electrical currents.

Learn about the basics of electrical current, including types of current, such as AC and DC, and how it flows through conductors. Understand the key differences between AC and DC and their applications.