How is current defined in electrical terms?

Current in electrical terms is defined as the flow of electric charge. This flow is typically represented by the movement of electrons through a conductor, such as a wire. Current is measured in amperes (A) and is a crucial concept in understanding how electrical circuits operate.

When electric charge flows through a conductor, it is often driven by a potential difference (voltage) between two points in the circuit. However, the actual measurement and identification of current focus specifically on that flow itself, rather than the driving potential or any resistance encountered. This makes understanding current vital to analyzing and troubleshooting electrical systems, especially in HVACR applications where various components require a certain amount of current to function properly.

Potential difference, resistance, and stored energy are all important concepts in electricity, but they describe different aspects of electrical behavior. Potential difference refers to the energy per unit charge, resistance describes how much a material opposes the flow of current, and stored energy pertains to components like capacitors or batteries. Thus, the definition of current is specifically tied to the flow of electric charge, making it foundational in electrical theory and practice.