Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms

Difference Between

Home / Science & Nature / Science / Physics / Difference Between Conventional Current and Electric Current

Difference Between Conventional Current and Electric Current

December 9, 2011 Posted by Admin

Conventional Current vs Electric Current
 

Current is a main parameter in the study of electrical systems. Electric current and conventional current are two forms of current, which are very useful in relative fields. The concept of current is widely applied in fields such as electrical engineering, electronic engineering, electromagnetic theory and many other fields. It is vital to have a proper understanding in electric current and conventional current in order to excel in such fields. In this article, we are going to discuss what current is, what electric current and conventional current are, their definitions, applications, the connections between conventional current and electric current, their similarities and finally the differences between conventional current and electric current.

Electric Current

The electric current can be identified as the current that is caused by the flow of charges, in the direction of the charges flow. Current is defined as the rate of flow of charges through a medium. These charges are usually in the form of electrons. The SI unit for current is ampere, which is named in honor of Andre-Marie Ampere. Current is measured using ammeters. 1 Ampere is equal to 1 Coulombs per second. An electromotive force is required for a current flow. If the voltage difference between two points is zero, there can be no net current between the two points. Current also exist in forms such as surface current and eddy current. A current or any moving charge always produces a magnetic field apart from the electric field. This magnetic field is normal to the velocity of the charge and the electric field. The electric current is measured in the direction of the flow of electrons. Any electric current measured in the direction of net electron flow is a negative quantity.

Conventional Current

Conventional current, or in other words the standard current, is measured in the opposite direction of the flow of the negative charges (i.e. electrons). If the current is measured for a flow of positive charges, the conventional current is in the same direction as the charge flow. In any place if the term of “current” is used it refers to the conventional current. Since the current measured in the same direction as the electrons is negative, the current measured in the opposite direction of the flow of electrons is positive. This means the conventional current is always positive. Conventional current is also measured in ampere.

 

What is the difference between Conventional and Electric Currents?

• Electric current can be either negative or positive, but conventional current is always positive.

• The conventional current for an electron flow is positive, whereas the electrical current is negative.

• For a flow of positive charges, both the electric current and the conventional current are the same.

• Since almost every electrical circuit uses an electron flow, it can be safely stated that the conventional current = – electrical current.

• In conventional current, the flow of electrons is assumed as a flow of protons on the opposite direction.

 

Related posts:

Difference Between Anode and CathodeDifference Between Anode and Cathode Difference Between Electric Field and Magnetic Field Difference Between Amps and Volts Difference Between Current and Charge Difference Between Relative Density and Specific Gravity

Filed Under: Physics Tagged With: conventional current, current, electric current, standard current

About the Author: Admin

Coming from Engineering cum Human Resource Development background, has over 10 years experience in content developmet and management.

Comments

  1. Reading Bug 2 says

    July 9, 2014 at 3:53 am

    This is totally wrong
    When electron move it is known as electronic current(-ve to +ve) but when
    Current move the direction is just opposite and it is non other than convetional/Franklins error/Electric current which is used world wide for electric appliances

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request Article

Featured Posts

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and SARS

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19

You May Like

Difference Between Refractor and Reflector Telescopes

Difference Between Memory and Storage

Difference Between Microsoft Office 2007 and Office 2010

Difference Between Microsoft Office 2007 and Office 2010

Difference Between Rigor Mortis and Cadaveric Spasm

Difference Between Rigor Mortis and Cadaveric Spasm

Difference Between Hot and Cold Deserts

Latest Posts

  • What is the Difference Between Saree and Half Saree
  • What is the Difference Between Hypernatremia and Hyponatremia
  • What is the Difference Between Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic Ketoacidosis
  • What is the Difference Between Sciatica and Spinal Stenosis
  • What is the Difference Between Metatarsalgia and Morton’s Neuroma
  • What is the Difference Between Agenesis and Atresia
  • Home
  • Vacancies
  • About
  • Request Article
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. All rights reserved. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal.