Wiktor Wise
Voltage and amperage are both measures of electricity, but they measure different things. Voltage refers to the amount of pressure produced by an electrical current, whereas amperage refers to the amount of current travelling through that current. Amperage is the strength of that current, expressed in amps (or amperes). Volts push amps through the circuits and deliver them where they're needed.
Characteristics and Values of Voltage and Amperage
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Voltage refers to the amount of pressure produced by an electrical current. Amperage refers to the amount of current travelling through a current. |
| Symbol | V or volts for voltage. A or amps for amperage. |
| What it measures | Voltage measures the potential for energy to travel. Amperage measures the volume of electrons or the rate at which they are travelling. |
| Danger | Voltage is often thought to be the main danger, but amperage is more dangerous as it determines the danger of an electrical shock. |
| How to reduce danger | To reduce danger, increase voltage and decrease amperage. |
| How it affects wiring | Amperage determines the size of wires needed. |
| How it affects the body | Amperage determines how much electricity the body will absorb. |
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What You'll Learn
Voltage vs. amperage
Voltage and amperage are both measures of electricity, but they measure different things. Voltage refers to the amount of pressure produced by an electrical current. It is the force that sends electrons through a circuit. It is named after the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta, who built one of the first batteries in 1800. Voltage is measured in volts.
Amperage, on the other hand, refers to the amount of current travelling through a circuit. It is the rate at which electrons are flowing through the circuit. Amperage is measured in units called amps (or amperes), named after French physicist André-Marie Ampère, a father of electromagnetism.
A simple analogy to understand the difference is to think of a plumbing system. Voltage is equivalent to the water pressure, while amperage is equivalent to the flow rate. So, if you increase the pressure in a tank of water connected to a hose, more water will come out of the hose. Similarly, increasing the voltage will make more current flow.
It is important to understand the difference between voltage and amperage when dealing with electricity. While many people are cautious of high-wattage appliances, it is actually voltage that can harm you in an electrical accident. Electricity travelling at high pressure and high voltage is more dangerous than electricity moving slowly or at low pressure.
However, amperage also plays a crucial role in electrical safety. Tiny changes in amperage can mean the difference between life and death when a person receives an electrical shock. The higher the amperage, the more electricity your body will absorb, and the more severe the effects will be.
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How amperage affects the body
Amperage, or the rate of current flow, is a key factor in determining the severity of an electrical shock. It measures the volume of electrons in a circuit, and is distinct from voltage, which measures the pressure that allows electrons to flow.
The human body's response to electric shock varies with amperage. At 1 milliampere (mA), or one-thousandth of an ampere, one will feel a slight tingle. At 5 mA, the sensation intensifies, causing pain but allowing one to let go of the wire. From 6 to 30 mA, the shock becomes painful, and one may experience "freezing currents", making it difficult to release the wire. This range is sometimes called the "let-go" range. As amperage increases further, the pain intensifies, and muscular contractions may occur. At 50 to 150 mA, extreme pain and muscular contractions can be expected.
Higher amperages can lead to heart paralysis and tissue burning. For instance, heart paralysis occurs at 4 amps, and tissue is burned at currents greater than 5 amps. In addition, high voltages, which produce greater currents, can result in burns, internal blood vessel clotting, nerve damage, and muscle contractions strong enough to cause bone fractures. Even low voltages can be dangerous, as the degree of injury depends on both the amperage and the duration of contact.
The path of the electrical current through the body also matters. Currents passing through the heart, nervous system, or from the hands to the feet are particularly dangerous. Furthermore, wet skin has lower resistance than dry skin, allowing higher amperages to pass through and increasing the risk of a stronger shock.
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Amperage and resistance
Amperage, or current, is the amount of electrical current travelling through a circuit. It is measured in amps and is used to determine the volume of electricity travelling through a circuit. Voltage, on the other hand, is the pressure at which the current travels and is measured in volts.
Resistance is a measure of how much a circuit or material resists or impedes the flow of electricity. It is measured in ohms and is defined as one ohm being the resistance between two points in a conductor where the application of one volt will push one ampere. Resistance is created by the material through which the electricity is flowing, as all materials have a certain amount of natural resistance.
The relationship between amperage, voltage, and resistance is described by Ohm's Law. This states that the voltage is equal to the product of the amperage and resistance. In other words, the voltage is the pressure pushing the amperage through the resistance.
A common analogy used to understand these concepts is a water tank. The voltage is the water pressure, the amperage is the flow rate, and the resistance is the width of the hose. A narrow hose resists the flow of water, just as resistance impedes the flow of electricity.
Another way to think about it is in terms of a wagon being pulled over a rough surface. It takes a certain amount of force to make the wagon roll at a certain speed. This force is like the voltage, which pushes the amperage through the resistance.
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Amperage in appliances
Amperage, or amps, refers to the amount of current travelling through a circuit. It is the strength of the current, or the volume, rather than the speed of the power in the conductor. Amperage is measured in units called amps or amperes, with the unit named after French physicist André-Marie Ampère.
Every appliance or light fixture is rated for a specific number of amps. For example, an average overhead room light uses four amps, a furnace fan uses nine amps, and a room air conditioner uses 13 amps. Amps supply the required amount of current to each light fixture, appliance, electronic device, and TV in a home.
The voltage running through the wires pushes the amps out at the correct time for each device, fixture, or appliance. Volts drive the amps through the circuits and deliver them where they are needed. The wattage of an appliance is calculated by multiplying the voltage by the amperage.
It is important to know the amperage of the appliances being used in a home. This is because it can help to manage electrical consumption, prevent overloading, and ensure the safety of the house. For example, breakers in an RV are rated at different current limits to protect the equipment inside and prevent overloading of the circuits and wiring. When a breaker goes off, it is because the current has exceeded what the circuit was designed for.
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Amperage and safety
Amperage, or amps, refers to the amount of electrical current travelling through a circuit. It is a measure of volume, rather than speed. Voltage, on the other hand, is the measure of the potential for energy to travel, or the amount of pressure produced by an electrical current.
Amperage is the main factor in electrical shocks. The amount of amperage can determine how much electricity your body will absorb. A high amperage can cause extreme pain, severe muscle reactions, respiratory arrest, and even death. For example, a 120-volt power supply with a resistance of 8 ohms draws 15 amps, and a 240-volt power supply with a resistance of 4 ohms draws 60 amps.
It is important to be cautious when working with electricity. Here are some safety tips to follow:
- Always shut off the power to the circuit or device you are working on.
- Test for power after turning off the circuit breaker to confirm the power is off.
- Use insulated fiberglass ladders when working with electricity, and avoid using aluminium ladders.
- Stay dry and avoid wet areas when working with electricity. If you are outdoors in damp or wet conditions, wear rubber boots and gloves to reduce the chance of getting shocked.
- Always get a qualified electrician to perform any electrical work.
By following these safety precautions and being aware of the dangers of high amperage, you can help protect yourself and others from electrical hazards.
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Frequently asked questions
A lightbulb uses around four amps, while a TV only needs around 120 volts, which is equivalent to 1,200 watts.
A furnace fan uses nine amps, while a room air conditioner uses 13 amps.
A 120-volt power supply with a current of 10 amps is 1,200 watts. A 240-volt power supply would need a current of 60 amps to reach 14,400 watts.
At one mA, you will feel a slight tingle. At 50-150 mA, you will feel extreme pain and muscular contractions.
