If some of you are like me, who isn’t very tech savvy when it comes to language of circuitry, I have helped make it easier to recognize which configuration defines each component and also a little bit better understands the world of power cords.
Let’s get started.
An electronic circuit is made up of basic individual components, such as voltage (V), resistance (Ω), current (A), and wattage (W).
Voltage (volts or V) measures the pressure, or FORCE, of electricity created by the separation of charges.
- For example, when there are more negative charges on the inside of a membrane of a cell, there is a force bringing positive charges in to neutralize them.
Resistance (Ohmmeter or Ω) is an electrical quantity that measures how the device reduces electrical current to flow through it. Basically, the measure of how hard it is for charges to move through the system.
- In a cell, lipid portion of the membrane is resistant to ions, so the resistance to current across the membrane is determined by opened and closed channels. When channels open, the resistance decreases. When closed, resistance increases.
Electric current (ampere, amps, or A) is the flow rate of electric charge in electric field, in electric circuit. Or the movement of charges. The amperage measures the AMOUNT of electricity being used. In an electrical current, electrons move from the negative pole to the positive pole.
- In cells, current is when ions move through the membrane.
Speaking of membrane, I’m pretty sure we just picked apart my whole brain. But we aren’t finished just yet!
Last but not least, we have the basic component – wattage (or watts or W). Watt is the unit of electric power equal to that available when energy is used. For better understanding, I provided the scientific/electrical formula of wattage: P (W) = I (A) x V (V) *watts are equal to amps times volts.
For example, what is the power P consumption in watts when the current is 3A and the voltage is 110V? The power P is equal to current of 3 amps times the voltage of 110 volts. 3A x 110V = 330W
Feeling more tech savvy?! I thought so. With the right steps, it can be very simple to recognize and appreciate the language of circuitry. I sure do!