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…