3/27/2015

ElectricCurrentandTheoryofElectricity|Heating&MagneticEffect|Electrical4u

Electrical4u
Online Electrical Engineering Study Site

Electrical

Current

CoreTheoryTheoryWas

Electric Current and Theory of

Electricity | Heating & Magnetic Effect
More related topics:
Electrical Engineering & Technology
Atomic Structure
Nature of Electricity
Drift Velocity & Electron Mobility
Electric Current
Static Electric Field
Magnetic Field
Electrical Conductance and Conductivity
Electrical Resistance and Resistivity
Resistor
Resistances in Series and Parallel
Theory of Electrical Potential
What is Capacitor and Capacitance?
What is Inductor and Inductance?
Ionization Process
Electrical Power
Electric Lamps

This page is all about:

What is Electric Current?
Definition
Theory of Electricity
Measurement of Current
Conventional Flow of Current
Types of Current
Alternating Current
Conventional Direction of Alternating Current
Effects of Electric Current
Heating Effect
Applications of Heating Effect of Current
Magnetic Effect
Magnetic Field due to Current
Cork Screw Rule
http://electrical4u.com/electriccurrentandtheoryofelectricity/

1/13

3/27/2015

ElectricCurrentandTheoryofElectricity|Heating&MagneticEffect|Electrical4u

Right Hand Rule

Magnetic Flux Density Due to Current

What is Electric Current?

Electric current is nothing but the rate of flow of electric charge through a conductor with respect to
time. It is caused by drift of free electrons through a conductor to a particular direction. As we all
know, the measuring unit of electric change is Coulomb and the unit of time is second, the measuring
unit of current is Coulombs per second and this logical unit of current has a specific name Ampere
after the famous French scientist Andr-Marie Ampere.

If total Q Coulomb charge passes through a conductor by time t, then current I = Q / t coulomb par
second or Ampere.
For better understanding, let give an example, suppose total 100 coulombs of charge is transferred
through a conductor in 50 seconds. What is the current?
As the current is nothing but the rate at which charge is transferred per unit of time, it would be ratio
of total charge transferred to the required time for that. Hence, here current I = 100 coulombs / 50
second = 2 Amperes.
Ampere is Sl unit of current.

Definition of Electric Current

While a potential difference is applied across a conductor, electrical charge flows through it and
electrical current is the measure of the quantity of the electrical charge flowing through the
conductor per unit time.

Theory of Electricity
There is an equal number of electrons and protons in an atom. Hence, atom is in general electrically
neutral. As the protons in the central nucleus are positive in charge and electrons orbiting the
nucleus, are negative in charge, there will be an attraction force acts between the electrons and
protons. In an atom various electrons arrange themselves in different orbiting shells situated at
different distances from the nucleus.
http://electrical4u.com/electriccurrentandtheoryofelectricity/

2/13

3/27/2015

ElectricCurrentandTheoryofElectricity|Heating&MagneticEffect|Electrical4u

The force is more active to the electrons nearer to the nucleus, than to the electrons situated at outer
shell of the atom. One or more of these loosely bonded electrons may be detached from the atom.
The atoms with lack of electrons are called ions. Due to lack of electrons, compared to number of
protons, the said ion becomes positively charged. Hence, this ion is referred as positive ion and
because of positive electrical charge; this ion can attract other electrons from outside. The electron,
which was previously detached from any other atom, may occupy the outer most shell of this ion and
hence this ion again becomes neutral atom. The electrons which move from atom to atom in random
manner are called free elections. When a voltage is applied across a conductor, due to presence of
electric field, the free electrons start drifting to a particular direction according the direction of
voltage and electric field. This phenomenon causes current in the conductor. The movement of
electrons, means movement of negative charge and rate of this charge transfer with respect to time is
known as current.

http://electrical4u.com/electriccurrentandtheoryofelectricity/

-19

3/13

3/27/2015

ElectricCurrentandTheoryofElectricity|Heating&MagneticEffect|Electrical4u

The amount of negative electric charge in an electron is 1.602 X 10-19 Coulomb. Hence, one coulomb
negative electric charge consists of 1/1.602 X 10 -19 = 6.24 X 10 18 number of electrons. Hence, during
drift of electron to a particular direction, if 6.24 X 10 18 number of electrons cross a specific crosssection of the conductor, in one second, the current is said to be one ampere. Since, we have already
seen the unit of current, ampere is coulomb/second.

Video Presentation on Theory of Electric Current

Ductformer
SheetmetalmachineryfortheHVACindustry.Pitts,S&D,TDF,etc

Measurement of Current
The most common method of measuring current is to connect an ammeter in series with the circuit
thats current to be measured. This is so because; the entire current flowing through the circuit must
also flow through the ammeter also. The ideal internal resistance or impedance of an ammeter is
zero. Hence, ideally there is no voltage drop across the ammeter connected in the circuit. A
conventional analog ammeter consists of a current coil. Whenever current flows through this coil, it
deflects from its position depending upon the amount of current flowing through it. A pointer is
attached to the coil assembly; hence it points the current reading on the dial of the ammeter. For
http://electrical4u.com/electriccurrentandtheoryofelectricity/

4/13

3/27/2015

ElectricCurrentandTheoryofElectricity|Heating&MagneticEffect|Electrical4u

measuring alternating current, clip on meter or tong tester can also be used instead of
conventional ammeter. In this ammeter a current transformer core is attached to the meter which
can easily be clipped on the live current carrying conductor. Due to this arrangement, current in the
circuit transforms to the secondary of the CT and this secondary current then measured on the dial of
clip on meter without disturbing the continuity of the current unlike conventional ammeter.

Conventional Flow of Current Vs Electrons Flow

In the early days, it was thought that the current is, flow of positive charge and hence current always
comes out from the positive terminal of the battery, passing through the external circuit and enters in
the negative terminal of the battery. This is called conventional flow of current. On the basis of this
conception, all the theories of electricity, formulas, and symbols were developed. After the
development of atomic nature of matter, we have come to know, that actual cause of current in a
conductor is due to movement of free electrons and electrons have negative change. Due to negative
charge, electrons move from the negative terminal to the positive terminal of the battery through the
external circuit. So the conventional flow of current is always in the opposite direction of electrons
flow. But it was impossible to change all the previously discovered subsequent rules, conventions,
theories and formulas according to the direction of electrons flow in the conductor. Thus the concept
of conventional current flow was adopted. The true electron flow is used only when it is necessary to
explain certain effects (as in semiconductor devices such as diodes and transistors). Whenever we
consider the basic electrical circuits and devices, we use conventional flow of current i.e. current
flowing around the circuit from the positive terminal to the negative terminal.

Video on Conventional Current Flow

http://electrical4u.com/electriccurrentandtheoryofelectricity/

5/13

3/27/2015

ElectricCurrentandTheoryofElectricity|Heating&MagneticEffect|Electrical4u

Types of Current
There are only two types of electrical current, direct current and alternating current.
We abbreviate them as DC and AC respectively. Concept of DC was developed before AC. But AC
becomes most popular means of generating, transmitting and distributing of electric power. The
direction of the flow of direct current is unidirectional, means this current does not alter its direction
during flowing. Most common examples of DC in our daily life, are the current that we get from all
kinds of battery system. But most popular form of electrical current is alternating current or AC. AC
does have some advantages over DC for generating, transmitting and distributing and that is why the
current we get from our electric supply companies, is normally alternating current.

Alternating Current
The current whose flow is not unidirectional moreover it alternates at a frequency, is called
alternating current. In other words, the direction of the current continuously changes from forward
to backward and then backward to forward in the circuit. The number of times, this direction changes
from forward to backward or from backward to forward per second, is referred as frequency of the
current. The current produced in an alternator is always an alternating current. The shape of the
waveform of an alternating current is usually sinusoidal. But square, triangular and other types of
waveform are also available for attending current.

Conventional Direction of Alternating Current

As direct current, alternating current is denoted with arrow. An AC has both forward and backward
direction of flow. The arrow head always indicates the forward direction of the current. In different
http://electrical4u.com/electriccurrentandtheoryofelectricity/

6/13

3/27/2015

ElectricCurrentandTheoryofElectricity|Heating&MagneticEffect|Electrical4u

point of view, when the current has a positive valve, the direction of current is same as the reference
arrow and when the current gets negative value; its direction is just opposite of the reference arrow.

Effects of Electric Current

There are mainly two effects of current, such as heating effect and magnetic effect. Each and every
utilization of electricity, we see in our daily life, is either due to heating effect or due to magnetic
effect of current. For examples, the light bulb glows in our house is due to heating effect of current
and the fan rotates in our house is due to magnetic effect of current. There are thousands of other
examples which can illustrate the effect of current, too.

Heating Effect of Electric Current

Whenever current passes through a conductor there would be a generation of heat due to
ohmic loss in the conductor. This is commonly known as heating effect of current.
Since, we cannot use electric power directly, we need to convert it into another usable power, like
heat, light, or mechanical power etc. When current flows through a conductor some loss occurs and
this loss is almost inevitable, and more the resistance of the conductor, more the loss. This loss due
to the electrical resistance of conductor is mainly responsible for the heating effect of current.
As some electric power is converted into heat energy, this phenomenon can be described by Joules
law, which states that,
Where H is the generated heat in calories, i is the current that is flowing through the wire and it is
measured in amperes, r is the resistance of the conductor in ohm() and t is the duration of current
flowing in seconds. If we know the time of current flowing, the resistance of wire, and amount of
current flow, we can easily find out the generated heat of the circuit. This heat can be utilized in
various ways.
We saw that the more the electrical resistance of the wire the more the generated heat in the circuit,
but to know more accurately about the heating effect of current, we should know about it from the
atomic level. As the flow of current is nothing but the flow of electrons there will always be resistance
from the fixed atoms of the conductor. The fixed atoms of the wire resist the flow of electrons and as
a result there are collisions and as the kinetic energy converts into heat energy we see that the wire is
getting hot.

Applications of Heating Effect of Electric

Current
Now, the generated heat can be viewed from many points of angles. Sometimes, it is only seen as a
loss and is trying to be minimized. Various steps are taken to minimize heat dissipation from the
conductor. But we can see many positive applications of heating effect of current in our daily life.
Electric iron, the whole idea or working principle depends upon the heating effect of current. High
http://electrical4u.com/electriccurrentandtheoryofelectricity/

7/13

3/27/2015

ElectricCurrentandTheoryofElectricity|Heating&MagneticEffect|Electrical4u

resistant wire is used as the main coil in the electric iron when current flows through the coil, the coil
gets heated and the iron works. But what about over heating of electric iron? This problem can be
solved by using bimetallic conductors. Bimetallic plates made of two different metals are used in the
circuit. As expansion co-efficient of heat is different for two metals, so due to heating effect one
metals expansion is different from the other metal; as a result the plate is bent and after reaching at
a certain temperature the contact of the circuit is broken and current flowing through the coil is
stopped and the electric iron too is not heated any more.
The same mechanism is used in electric heater, the only difference is that there is no bimetallic plate
or circuit breaker involved.
Another application of heating effect of current is seen in electric bulbs. The wire which is used
inside the bulb gets illuminated and emits light after reaching certain temperature. The metal used in
the bulb is mainly made of tungsten.
Finally and perhaps the most important application of the heating effect of current is in electrical
fuses, that are used in almost everywhere. From huge industries to domestic level, everywhere
electrical fuse is a must. The fuse is made of such metals which has a certain melting point. They are
okay for normal current but when over current flows through the circuit; the generated heat in the
fuse wire is enough to melt the metal portion of the fuse wire and break the circuit. In this way the
costly equipment is protected as huge current flow, can damage the equipment permanently.

Magnetic Effects of Electric Current

Magnetic Field due to Current Carrying Conductor
In 1819, it was discovered by a Danish Physicist, Hans Christian Oersted that an current is always
accomplished by certain magnetic effect. He observed a current carrying conductor when placed
near a magnetic needle; the needle deflects to a certain direction. He also observed that when the
direction of current in the conductor is reversed, the needle deflects in opposite direction.
That means there is a magnetic field due to current carrying conductor. Further investigation
shows that, the magnetic field around the conductor consists of a number of concentric closed lines
of force. If we pass an current through a conductor through a card board as shown in the figure and
try to plot the field with the help of a magnetic needle on that card board, we shall get the magnetic
lines as shown in figure. These are all closed circles and concentric with the conductor. Now if we
reverse the current in the conductor and repeat the same experiment as shown in the figure, we shall
get the oppositely directed closed circular magnetic lines, concentric with the conductor as shown.

http://electrical4u.com/electriccurrentandtheoryofelectricity/

8/13

3/27/2015

ElectricCurrentandTheoryofElectricity|Heating&MagneticEffect|Electrical4u

From the above experiment it is also found that when current flows through the conductor in upward
direction, the direction of circular magnetic lines are anti clockwise if we observe from the top. On the
other hand; if the current flows through the conductor in downward direction, the circular magnetic
lines are clockwise if we observe from the top.
Properties of magnetic field due to a current carrying conductor can be summarized as below,
1. All lines of magnetic field are circular in shape, symmetrical to each other and concentric with
the axis of current carrying conductor.
2. The radius of the lines of force increases as we go away from the axis of the conductor.
3. The direction of magnetic circular line depends upon the direction of flow of current through
the conductor.
4. The magnetic flux density of the induced magnetic field around the conductor increases if the
current flowing through the conductor is increased and it decreases if the current is
decreased.
Determination of Direction of magnetic field around a Current Carrying Conductor.
There are mainly two popular rules for determining the direction of magnetic field due to a current
carrying conductor and these are Cork screw rule and Right hand rule.

Cork Screw Rule

http://electrical4u.com/electriccurrentandtheoryofelectricity/

9/13

3/27/2015

ElectricCurrentandTheoryofElectricity|Heating&MagneticEffect|Electrical4u

If the right handed cork screw is held with its axis parallel to the conductor pointing the direction of
flow of current and the head of the screw is rotated in such a direction that the screw moves in the
direction of flow of current , then the direction in which the head of screw is rotated, will be the
direction of magnetic lines of force.

Right Hand Rule

If the current carrying conductor is held in right hand by the observer so that it is encircled by fingers
stretching the thumb at right to the fingers in the direction of flow of current then finger tips will point
the direction of magnetic lines of force.

Magnetic Flux Density Due to a Current Carrying

Conductor
Whenever a current passes through a conductor, a magnetic field is appeared surrounding it. The
direction of this magnetic field of current carrying conductor can be determined by Cork Screw rule
or Right Hand rule.

http://electrical4u.com/electriccurrentandtheoryofelectricity/

10/13

3/27/2015

ElectricCurrentandTheoryofElectricity|Heating&MagneticEffect|Electrical4u

As per Biot Savarts law, the expression of magnetic flux density at a point P nearer to a conductor
carrying a current I is given as,

Where, dB is the infinitesimal flux density at point P.

Current I is passing through the conductor.
dl is infinitesimal length of conductor.
r is the radius vector from center of element dl to point P.
is the angle between current and radius vector.

Now in order to find the actual magnetic flux density B at the point P due to total length of the
conductor, we have to integrate the expression of dB, in respect of dl.

The above expression is used to evaluate magnetic flux density B at any point due to infinitely long
linear conductor and this comes as

http://electrical4u.com/electriccurrentandtheoryofelectricity/

11/13

3/27/2015

ElectricCurrentandTheoryofElectricity|Heating&MagneticEffect|Electrical4u

Here, R is the radial distance from conductor to the point P.

Now if we integrate B around a path of radius R enclosing the current carrying conductor, we get

This equation shows that the integral of H around a closed path is equal to the current enclosed by
the path. This is nothing but Amperes law. If the path of integration enclosed N number of turns of
wire, each with a current I in the same direction, then

This relation is very important relation; it is used for determining flux linkage of a system of
conductors. From flux linkage, the inductor of the system can easily be determined.
If the current in the conductor varies, it causes variation of flux linkage. We know that change of flux
linkage induces a voltage in the conductors and the rate of change of flux linkage is directly
proportional to the induced voltage. This is known as Faradays laws of electromagnetic induction.

Objective Questions on Electric Current (MCQs)

What is electric current?
What do you mean by heating effect of electric current?
What is Jouless law of electric heating?
What are the practical applications of heating effect of electric current?
What is electric flux?
What is electric flux density?
What is alternating current?
What are the advantages of alternating current?
What are the advantages of using sinusoidal alternating voltage or current?
What is rms value or root mean square value of an alternating current?
What is form factor of a sinusoidal alternating current?

http://electrical4u.com/electriccurrentandtheoryofelectricity/

12/13

3/27/2015

ElectricCurrentandTheoryofElectricity|Heating&MagneticEffect|Electrical4u

Your Name : Your Email : - (Please do not forget to provide your actual email address so that we can send you the latest updates
of this site. If you wish.)
Your Place : Your Comments and Suggestion : -

Enter the Security Code : -

Regenerate Code

Submit

Reset

http://electrical4u.com/electriccurrentandtheoryofelectricity/

13/13