Learn the difference between amps and volts to stay safe during projects.
There are many dangers associated with electricity, namely regarding amperage and voltage.
Voltage is a measure of thepressurethat allows electrons to flow.
The Spruce / Tara Anand
Amperage is a measure of thevolumeof electrons.
Voltage
Think of voltage as the potential electricity that could run through an electrical system.
An electrical supply of 1,000 volts is no more deadly than 100 volts because the current determines the danger.
Amperage
Think of amperage as the amount of electricity traveling through the electrical system.
Controlling an electrical circuit’s current is crucial to making it compatible with whatever you intend to power.
However, moving to a plug tied to a 15-amp breaker will allow you to use the hairdryer.
The initial water pressure (constant voltage) never changes.
Thus, with amps vs. volts, the danger is in the amps.
Effects of Amperage on Electrical Shock
Different amounts of amperage affect the human body in different ways.
It helps to grasp these terms andhow they relate to voltsand amperage.
Watts is the rate of power flow.
Ohms
Another electrical term you might be familiar with is “ohms.”
Ohms, represented by the symbol, measure resistance in electrical flow.
So, if you decrease the resistance, you increase the amps.
If you increase the resistance, you reduce the amps.
Safely measure electrical values, and more using amultimeter.
To determine the amperage of a given voltage, you must divide the voltage by the resistance.
As you decrease resistance, you directly increase current.
you could easily solve for wattage by multiplying amps and volts.
For example, a 120-volt power supply with a current of 10 amps is 1,200 watts.
Likewise, a 240-volt power supply with a current of 60 amps is 14,400 watts.
National Library of Medicine.
Basic Electrical Safety.United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
