How Do Circuits Work? Volts, Amps, Ohm's, and Watts Explained!

What is a circuit and how does it work? Even though most of us electricians think of ourselves as magicians, there is nothing really magical about electricity!! In the latest episode of Electrician U, Dustin explains the theories behind how a circuit actually works and the basic principles of electricity.

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On a basic level, there are 4 distinct principles that govern how a circuit and electricity actually work. Volts, Amps, Watts, and Ohm’s (or resistance). Each one plays an important role in the flow of electrons within a conductor and can change how the overall experience is perceived.
First let’s discuss volts. Volts relates to pressure. This PRESSURE is what moves things along. On one end of a circuit, somewhere, there is a generator that is creating this pressure. The other end (which we will discuss momentarily) is using that pressure to be useful. Voltage can come in several different amounts. The higher the voltage the more the pressure. 12 volts is much less than 120 volts, which is much less than 480 volts. The lower the voltage the more you risk not having enough pressure to operate a higher quantity of loads or go as far in distance. One reason we use higher voltages for those situations.
What we are actually pushing with that pressure is current and that is measured in AMPERES (amps). Think of amps as flow. How much is actually going thru the circuit. So, amps can be thought of as how much is flowing thru the circuit per second. The smaller the amount, the less the amperage. Some equipment requires more amps to operate (motors, large light bulbs, etc.). Water can be a good analogy to use when discussing parts of electricity (even though the two REALLY shouldn’t be put together!!). While water pressure could be used to describe VOLTS, the flow rate (or gallons/liters per minute) can be used to describe AMPERAGE.
The next part of the puzzle is resistance. If we were to hook up a wire straight in between a hot and a neutral, there would be an infinite amount of current allowed to flow as there is no resistance to slow it down. This would end in a rather catastrophic event! So, resistance slows down the rate of current flow to a more manageable/useful rate. Remember, for a circuit to work, it must be a complete loop. So a resistive load completes the loop enough for current flow to slow down to a useful rate, but not great enough to create a short circuit! Take a light bulb for instance. One side of the lamp is connected to one end of a filament while the other side is connected to the other. When power is applied, the filament glows, slowing down the rate of current flow but completing the circuit.
The last part to discuss is wattage. Think of wattage as power consumption. How much work is being performed. Take a toaster for example. We need wattage to toast our bread. The resistive elements get hot from current flow/resistance. That power consumption is measured in watts. The higher the watts for our toaster, the hotter it will get and faster it will toast our bread.

[jenniferblakely]

Your passion for this is hilarious, but it's also super engaging and informative. Thank you for geeking out with us.

[chrisungerecht]

The amount of knowledge this guy has. Love it

[stevesargent]

Wow! I'm 57 and this reminds me so much of my teacher in high school. I was fortunate to grow up when high schools had vocational programs. I was a total "nerd" and thought about following my love of physics. But my dad was an electric motor rebuilder. So I wanted to have a job and took vocational electricity my jr and sr years. It's a decision I'll never regret. The way you explain ohms law is AWESOME! Keep up the good work!

[NBHayes]

I've been taking an Industrial Electricity course which also covers residential electrical and I just wanted to say that your videos have made understanding how electricity works (both aspects of the course) so much easier while I've been in this class. Thank you so much and please keep up the outstanding work.

[Teampierrellc]

I’m an apprentice and I go to class twice a week and I can tell you this guy is amazing. My current instructor has no business teaching. The more I watch the worst my instructor looks.

[Karma-xxv]

Dude! I am a senior in high school, and I'm going to pursue a carrier in electrical work, this video has helped a ton for helping me understand the beginning of it. You taught it so well and I love your videos man, keep it up!

[kinktheride]

Love your videos man. Inside apprentice in my 3rd month and though I’m not in school and learning electrical theory, I have an urge to know what I’m working on and why and this totally feeds my desire to know the intricacy of the work.

[robjohnston]

I really hope you're making bank off of these videos. Thanks for sharing your knowledge in a clear, concise manner.

[nathaniel]

You took me back to the 1970s, high school, vocational training, 10 weeks of Electrical Shop, still remember my color codes on...gasp...resistors! LOL! Great video, easy to understand! Looking forward to your upcoming videos!!

[cjturn]

Great explanation of how electricity works. I have worked both distribution and transmission work for a big company here on the east coast, your explanation is great for a beginner. Hopefully we can get more of our youth in this great trade!!

[jamesfleming]

I substitute teach high school on the side as a home inspector and retired military with an engineering background. Mostly math, physics, and science. This is terrific stuff. Sometimes I get stuck without a lesson plan. I can pull up one of these videos and get the kids hooked. You are awesome. BTW, as a home inspector, I drive a lot of business to electricians (because it's really needed...some of the stuff I see is OMG).

[kevinmach]

Always great to get go back to basics and see something through different eyes as folks build on their skils! Another home run Dustin. As far as your last video went in asking us what we'd like to see, looks like you already know!

[devinrossi]

3rd year apprentice here. You teach better than any instructor I’m yet to have, make thing super easy to understand. So just wanted to thank you.

Not to be an annoyance but blue is hard to see on the bored with you’re lighting setup. If it’s just me brush it off, don’t change a thing. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[lelandmorris]

I'm a first year apprentice. A Jr in highschool . I've always been interested in electrical. I've watched you for a good while between you and my votech class I've learned a lot just in a few months appreciate all you do on explaining everything

[mikerannazzisi]

Hey guys, I stumbled across your channel looking for information I believe it was on transformers. Don’t remember. I’m a licensed electrician in the state of New Jersey. And I love your channel. Get a ton from it. been in the business over 30 years and constantly either re-learning or learning new stuff from you guys. Thank you!!!!

[jumbjuice]

I appreciate you taking the time to break everything down. Keep up the good work!

[RuskyHuskyful]

I just started teaching (2nd year apprentices) and we are about to cover circuit's for the next 25 sessions... this will be a great starting place!

[weldonpinder]

This video helped in so many ways thanks. I love how you use so many examples to make it easier to understand instead of just saying ohlmes resistance if I spelled that right

[l.p.amador]

Thank you Electrician U. Your platform is amazing and, Dustin, you have a gift for explaining complex ideas and making them understandable to the listener. Excellent instruction! Much respect and admiration for all you do to pass on your knowledge and perpetuate the trade. God bless you....

[barry]

Great video as I am in the second year of an apprenticeship for industrial I always like how you explain