An electric current is a stream of charged particles, such as electrons or ions, moving through an electrical conductor or space. It is measured as the net rate of flow of electric charge past a region. Electric current is measured in amperes (amps) and refers to the number of charges that move through the wire per second. Voltage is sometimes called electric potential and is measured in volts. A current flows in a circuit. Current flows if the circuit is complete (Closed) not in an open circuit.
Examples of current electricity are starting a car, turning on a light, cooking on an electric stove, watching TV, shaving with an electric razor, playing video games, using a phone, charging a cell phone and more.
There are two different types of current in widespread use today. They are direct current, abbreviated DC, and alternating current, which is abbreviated AC. In a direct current, the electrons flow in one direction.