Measured in Amps.
Current can be explained as the electrons moving through a conductor (wire).
As current encounters resistance in a circuit, heat is generated.
As current and/or resistance increases, larger cable sizes are required to stop cables from heating up so much as to cause insulation to melt or a fire to occur.
If a short between phase and earth or neutral occurs, then large amounts of current can flow causing a lot of heat to be generated (short circuit).
Using higher voltages (such as two or three phase) can help reduce how much heat is generated in a circuit.
An electrician’s job is to ensure that cables are appropriately sized for the amount of current going through them.
Current and voltage together is power.
Current is measured by putting a clamp meter around the live wire on the load side (the side of the circuit which is consuming electricity).
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