Q&A for How to Calculate Total Current

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

How do you calculate resistors connected in a series?

Community Answer

Series resistors' value is the value of all added together. 1 Ohm+2 Ohm = 3 Ohm total, for example.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 15 Helpful 24
Question

What is the formula for a total current?

Gabeericwolf

Community Answer

IT = VT/RT or I total = V total / R total or the total current = the total voltage / the total resistance.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 41 Helpful 36
Question

A street lamp is rated at 240V and 120W. How do I calculate the current through the lamp when it is working at its recommended power?

Community Answer

The answer is 0.5 amps. Using the P=IxE formula, I=P/E so plugging the numbers in gives 120W/240V=0.5 Amps

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 25 Helpful 15
Question

What is the equation to calculate power when the circuit voltage and resistance are known?

Community Answer

E = IR; if you have voltage and resistance, then you can find the current to then find the power. I = E/R, so get the current and plug that into the formula P = IE, then you have the power.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 8 Helpful 6
Question

What direction do currents flow in?

Gabeericwolf

Community Answer

Current flows in the opposite direction of the electron flow. In a simple circuit, current flows from the positive terminal of the battery to the negative terminal of the battery, while electrons flow from the negative terminal of the battery to the positive terminal of the battery.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 13 Helpful 8
Question

Why did you divide the total resistance (5) by 6?

Community Answer

They added up the resistances. In order to add up 1/2 and 1/3, we need to put them in a form with the same denominator. In this case that means multiplying the numerator and denominator of 1/2 by 3 (which gives 3/6) and multiplying the numerator and denominator of 1/3 by 2 (which gives 2/6) to get two fractions with denominator 6, which you can then add and get 5/6.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 10 Helpful 7