Electricity & Electronics

Ohm's Law

Use one relationship to connect voltage, current and resistance.

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Practical takeaway

Ohm’s law connects three bench quantities: voltage, current and resistance. If you know any two, you can calculate the third.

Technician exam focus

Be able to use E = I × R, I = E ÷ R and R = E ÷ I. When the answer uses division, E is the numerator.

The memory pattern

EIR

Use whichever memory method works for you. The triangle is optional. The equations are E = I × R, I = E ÷ R, and R = E ÷ I. A handy pattern: whenever the answer uses division, E is on top.

E = I × R

Voltage equals current times resistance.

I = E ÷ R

Current equals voltage divided by resistance.

R = E ÷ I

Resistance equals voltage divided by current.

STEMulation

Pick what you want to solve

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The same three quantities in the equation are shown on the circuit: source voltage, resistor value, and current through the loop.