Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering – Understanding Voltage, Current, Power & Energy

Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering – Understanding Voltage, Current, Power & Energy

Understanding the basics of voltage , current , power , and energy is the cornerstone of electrical engineering. These four fundamental concepts form the language of electrical systems—from simple light bulbs to national power grids. This article explains these essential quantities in an intuitive yet technically accurate way, complete with formulas, units, practical analogies, and examples. ⚡ 1. Electric Charge and Current 🔹 Electric Charge (Q) Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter. Measured in coulombs (C) . Electrons carry a negative charge (−1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ C). 🔹 Electric Current (I) Definition : The rate at which electric charge flows through a conductor. Formula : I = Q t I = \frac{Q}{t} where: I I = current in amperes (A) Q Q = charge in coulombs (C) t t = time in seconds (s) 🔹 Unit : Ampere (A) 1 A = 1 coulomb per second (1 C/s) 🔹 Analogy : Think of electric current like water flowing through a pipe. The more water flowing per second, the higher the current. 🔋 2. Voltage (Electric Potential Dif…