Difference Between Voltage and

Current
In electricity, current and voltage are two fundamental quantities. As
voltage is the cause of an event and current is the effect of that event.
The difference between voltage and current can help us to understand
the basics better and know their comparisons thoroughly. Let us now
understand what is the difference between voltage and current.

What is Voltage?
The electrical force that would drive an electric current between two
points is termed as voltage. “V” represents voltage.

What is Current?
The rate at which electric charge flows past a point in a circuit is
termed as current. “I” represents current.
Difference between Voltage and Current 

                                                           difference between voltage and current

The important difference between voltage and current.

Parameters Voltage Current

Voltage is the potential difference

between two points in an electric Current is the rate of flow of electrons
Definition
field, which causes current to flow in is called current.
the circuit.

Symbol Voltage is represented by “V” Current is represented by “I”

Unit Volt “V” Ampere “A”

Unit Charge 1 Joule / Coulomb = 1 Volt 1 Coulomb / Second = 1 Ampere

V=W/Q
I=Q/t
Formula
Voltage = Work done / Current = Charge / Time
Charge

Cause & Voltage is the cause of current (being Current is the effect caused by
Effect an effect). Voltage.

To measure the value of voltage by To measure the value of current by

Measuring
connecting it in parallel we use connecting in series we use ampere
Instrument
voltmeter. meter.

Alternating Voltage and Direct Alternating Current (AC) and Direct

Types
Voltage Current (DC)

Field
Magnetic Field Electric Field (Electrostatic)
Produced

Produced by Generator, Alternator and Batteries Voltage and EMF

Drop and
Due to Impedance (AC Resistance) Due to Passive elements
Loss

Unequal in all components

Series
Equally distributed in all components
Connection  
 Parallel Magnitude of voltage remain same in Magnitude of current vary in all
connection all componets components

Alternating Voltage changes its Alternating Current changes its

Polarity
polarity and magnitude while it is polarity while Direct Current does not
Changes
remain constant in DC. changes its polarity.

Current does not exist without voltage,

Voltage can exist without current, as as voltage is the main cause to flow
Existence
it is the cause of flowing charge. current except
theoretical superconductor.

After learning about the difference between voltage and current, it is

important to know the details of voltage and current thoroughly.

Voltage

The electrical potential difference between two points is the voltage

between those two points. Voltage is the electromotive force, which
is responsible for the movement of electrons or electric current
through a circuit. The potential for each Coulomb of electric charge
to do work represented by voltage.

A voltage produces an electrostatic field. As the voltage increases

between two points, the electrostatic field becomes more intense. As
the distance increases between two points having a given voltage
with respect to each other, the electrostatic intensity decreases
between the points.

There are two basic types of voltages i.e. Alternating Voltage and
Direct Voltage

Alternating Voltage: Voltage, which changes its direction and

magnitude, continuously throughout the time, is termed as AC
voltage. Alternators can generate alternating voltages.
Direct Voltage: DC Voltage has the constant magnitude, which does
not change its polarity throughout the time. Electrochemical cells and
batteries can generate direct voltage.

Current

In electric circuits, current is the flow of electric charge. Electric

current are the electrons or negatively charged particles that move
around in circuits. So when current flows in some direction in a
circuit, the actual physical effect is electrons flowing in the opposite
direction.

It is represented by the symbol “I”. The SI unit of current is ampere,

which is denoted by “A”. If one coulomb charge passes through a
conducting point in one second, the amount of current is known as
one ampere.

There are mainly two types of currents i.e. AC and DC (Alternating

Current & Direct Current).

AC Current: Current which changes its direction and magnitude

continuously throughout the time is termed as alternating current.

DC Current: Current, which has the constant magnitude and does

not change its polarity or direction throughout the time, is termed as
direct current.

FAQ

Q1. What is a short circuit?

Answer: A short circuit is an unwanted connection of very low

resistance such as a wire, which provides a very easy path for current.
We can consider it as an electrical short cut. We use short circuit to
describe a fault or accidental connection rather than a deliberate one.
Q2. What is the relation between voltage and current?

Answer: The relationship between the voltage, current, and

resistance in an electric circuit is described by Ohm’s Law: i = v/r
means current is directly proportional to the voltage .