Ohm's Law:
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Ohm's Law states that the current through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage across the two points and inversely proportional to the resistance between them. It's a fundamental principle in electrical engineering and physics.
The calculator uses Ohm's Law equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation shows that current increases when voltage increases or resistance decreases, and vice versa.
Details: Calculating current is essential for designing electrical circuits, selecting appropriate wire gauges, determining power requirements, and ensuring safety in electrical systems.
Tips: Enter voltage in volts and resistance in ohms. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the current in amperes.
Q1: Does Ohm's Law apply to AC circuits?
A: Ohm's Law in its basic form applies to DC circuits. For AC circuits, impedance (which includes resistance, inductance, and capacitance) must be considered.
Q2: What are typical current values in household circuits?
A: Standard household circuits in the US are typically 15 or 20 amps at 120 volts.
Q3: How does wire resistance affect current?
A: Longer or thinner wires have higher resistance, which can reduce current in a circuit if significant enough to affect the total resistance.
Q4: What happens when resistance approaches zero?
A: As resistance approaches zero, current approaches infinity (a short circuit), which is dangerous and can cause fires or equipment damage.
Q5: Can I calculate power with this information?
A: Yes, power (P) can be calculated as P = V × I or P = I² × R once you know the current.