Understanding Ohm S Law

ELC24
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AUTO M O B I L E T E C H N I C A L T RA I N I N G KNOWLEDGE MODULE Page 1 of 1
Understanding Ohm’s Law
ELC24
Introduction Knowledge Module
Welcome to Module ELC24, Understanding Ohm’s Law.
Module Prerequisites
Before starting this Module, you should have completed the following
modules:
• ELC23, Using the Electrical Troubleshooting Manual (ETM).
• EBC03, Using a Digital Multi-Meter.
Why This Module is Important

In this module, you will learn what Ohm’s Law is in order to more
effectively diagnose vehicle electrical problems.
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 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

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Voiceover (Narrator, Male) Programming Notes

Welcome to Module <<Number>>, <<Title>>.
This module has no prerequisites.

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AUTOM O B I L E T E C H N I C A L T RA I N I N G KNOWLEDGE MODULE Page 1 of 1
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Objective Knowledge Module
Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:
• Explain the relationship between voltage, current flow, and resistance
in a circuit.
• Calculate the voltage drop across a load in the circuit when you know
the current flow and the resistance of the load.
At the end of the module, you will evaluate what you learned about
Ohm’s Law.
This module will be completed when you have answered the Self-
Evaluation questions at the Online Testing Center, and received a score
of 90% or higher.
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Link to Knowledge Assessment.
Link to Learning Bay.

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Knowledge Module
Introduction
Ohm’s Law is a simple formula to determine voltage, current flow,
and resistance values in an electrical circuit.
Ohm’s Law Equations
Practice using Ohm’s Law to find voltage, current flow, and
resistance values in example circuits.
Series Circuits
Ohm’s Law follows special rules in series circuits for the values
of voltage, current flow, and resistance.
Parallel Circuits
Ohm’s Law follows special rules in parallel circuits for the values
of voltage, current flow, and resistance.
Resistance
Increased or decreased resistance in a circuit affects current flow
which affects the component operation.
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Descripton is limited to 2 lines of text.

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ELC24
ELC24
Introduction to Ohm’s Law Knowledge Module
Ohm’s Law Defined
Ohm’s Law is a formula that explains how voltage, current flow,
and resistance affect each other in a circuit. It is usually shown as
Voltage = Current Flow x Resistance
E = I x R
An easy way to remember Ohm’s Law is to think of it as a triangle

where voltage is always on top.
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Ohm’s Law Triangle Defined
Ohm’s Law can be expressed as three different
equations, each one calculates a different value.
If you know BOTH Current Flow (I) and Resistance
(R), you will always multiply them together to find
the voltage.
If you know Voltage (V) and one of the other values,
you ALWAYS divide Voltage by that known value to
find the other value.
There are several ways to show the division. All
of the equations shown mean the same thing.
Voltage
Resistance = Voltage Voltage
Current Flow Current Flow = Resistance =
Resistance Current Flow
Voltage
Current Flow =
Resistance
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Ohm’s Law Relationships
A change in one value means a change in another
value. For example, when the voltage is constant:
• An increase in resistance decreases current flow.
• A decrease in resistance increases current flow.
When you know two of the values, you can always
determine the third. With the examples in the list,
assume that the values change at the same rate.
• Balanced system.
• Short circuit with stable battery voltage.
• Poor connection with stable battery voltage.
• Engine running (charging the battery) with a
shorted circuit.
• Battery charging.
• Lights on with the engine running.
• Panel light dimmer.
• Battery discharging.
• Battery discharging and circuit with a poor
connection.
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Ohm’s Law Equations Knowledge Module
Voltage
1. How do you calculate voltage if you know
that the current flow of a circuit is 7 amps (A),
and the circuit resistance is 2 ohms (Ω)?
2. Now add the numbers to the triangle.
Voltage = 7A x 2Ω
3. The circuit voltage is 14 volts (V).
Voltage = 14V
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Resistance
1. How do you calculate resistance if you
have a 12 volt battery, and the current
flow in the circuit is 6 amps (A)?
Voltage
Resistance =
Current Flow
2. Now add the numbers to the triangle.
12V
Resistance =
6A
3. The circuit resistance is 2 ohms (Ω).
Resistance = 2Ω
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Current Flow
1. How do you calculate current flow
if you have a 12 volt battery, and
the circuit resistance is 3 ohms
(Ω)?
Voltage
Current Flow =
Resistance
2. Now add the numbers to the

triangle.
12V
Current Flow =
3Ω
3. The current flow is 4 amps (A).
Current Flow = 4A
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Series Circuits Knowledge Module
Series Circuit Rules
A series circuit has only one path through which current can flow.
1. The current flow remains the same throughout the entire circuit.
2. The total resistance is the sum of all the resistances in the circuit.
3. The total circuit voltage is found by adding all of the voltage drops
in the circuit. This total should be the same as the source voltage.
Voltage drop is the difference in voltage on one side of a load
compared to the voltage on the other side of the load.
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Series Circuit Example: Total Resistance
The total resistance of this series circuit is 6Ω. How can you tell?
Follow the steps below to determine the value.
Step One:
Resistance1 (R1) = 4Ω
Total Resistance = R1 + R2
Step Two:
Total Resistance = 4Ω + 2Ω
Step Three:
Total Resistance = 6Ω
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Series Circuit Example: Current Flow
Now that you know the total resistance, you can determine the current flow
through the circuit:
Step One:
Voltage
Current Flow =
Resistance
Voltage = 12V
Resistance = 6Ω
Step Two:
12V
Current Flow =
6Ω
Step Three:
Current Flow = 2A
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Series Circuit Example: Voltage Drop (1 of 3)
With all of these values available, you can find the voltage drop across each
resistor.
Step One:
Voltage Drop1 (VD1) = (R1) x Current Flow
Current Flow = 2A
Step Two:
Voltage Drop1 (VD1) = 4Ω x 2A
Step Three:
Voltage Drop1 (VD1) = 8V
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You find the second voltage drop the same way you found the first one.
Step Four:
Voltage Drop2 (VD2) = R2 x Current Flow
Current Flow = 2A
Step Five:
Voltage Drop2 (VD2) = 2Ω x 2A
Step Six:
Voltage Drop2 (VD2) = 4V
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Now you can double check your work to see if your voltage drops are correct.
The total of the voltage drops should equal source voltage.
Step Seven:
Total Voltage = (VD1) + (VD2)
Step Eight:
Total Voltage = 8V+ 4V
Step Nine:
Total Voltage = 12V
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Parallel Circuits Knowledge Module
Parallel Circuit Rules
A parallel circuit has more than one path through which current can flow.
1. The current flow in each path varies depending on the resistance in that
path. Add the current flow values of the paths to find the total circuit current
flow.
2. The total circuit resistance is less than the smallest path resistance.
3. The total voltage in each path is equal to the source voltage.
• Each path uses the same source voltage.
• You can find the total voltage for a path by adding the voltage drops in
that path.
More current flows through a parallel circuit because there are more paths
than a series circuit. Because increased current flow means decreased
resistance, parallel circuits have less total resistance than you would think.
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Series Circuit (1 of 2)
To illustrate the concept of less resistance in a parallel circuit, let’s start with
a series circuit and then add a path to it later.
The total resistance of the circuit is 3Ω.
The total voltage is 12V.
With that information, you can find the current flow.
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Series Circuit (2 of 2)
Now that you know the resistance, you can find the current flow in the circuit.
Step One:
Voltage
Current Flow =
Resistance
Voltage = 12V
Resistance = 3Ω
Step Two:
12V
Current Flow =
3Ω
Step Three:
Current Flow = 4A
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Series to Parallel
Look at what happens when another path is added to the circuit.
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Parallel Circuit Example: Current Flow Path 1
How do you calculate the total current flow for a parallel circuit? You start by
finding the current flow in each path.
You already calculated the current flow for the first path. It’s 4A. So let’s look
at the second path.
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Parallel Circuit Example: Current Flow Path 2
You know the current flow for Path 1, so you need to calculate the current flow
for Path 2.
Step One:
Voltage
Current Flow =
Resistance
Voltage = 12V
Resistance = 6Ω
Step Two:
12V
Current Flow =
6Ω
Step Three:
Current Flow = 2A
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Parallel Circuit Example: Total Current Flow
Now you can find the total current flow by adding the path current flows.
Step One:
Total Current Flow = Current Flow1 + Current Flow2
Step Two:
Total Current Flow = 4A + 2A
Step Three:
Total Current Flow = 6A
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Parallel Circuit Example: Total Resistance
Now that you know the total current flow, you can find the total resistance for
the circuit.
Step One:
Voltage
Resistance =
Current Flow
Voltage = 12V
Current Flow = 6A
Step Two:
12V
Resistance =
6A
Step Three:
Resistance = 2Ω
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Resistance Knowledge Module
Common Causes of Electrical Problems
The most common causes of electrical problems are
• Increased resistance and decreased current flow due to
corrosion at the connectors or loose connections.
• Decreased resistance and increased current flow due to
shorted wires or bypassed loads.
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Unwanted Resistance
• Unwanted resistance increases the resistance of the circuit and drops
voltage.
• Unwanted resistance causes the voltage drop across the wanted (actual)
load to decrease.
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Resistance and Current Flow
• Decreased current flow (increased resistance) affects component
operation and can result in dim bulbs and slow motors.
• Increased current flow (decreased resistance) can blow fuses and
cause early component failure.
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Conductor Resistance
It is important to remember that the resistance of a
conductor increases as:
The temperature of a conductor increases.
The diameter of the conductor decreases.
The length of the conductor increases.
Because of this, as a light bulb heats up and begins to

glow, the resistance increases. The resistance can
increase up to 10 times its static resistance. This reduces
the current flow in the circuit.
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ELC 24
Summary Knowledge Module
You Should Now Be Able to:
• Understand the relationship between voltage, current flow, and resistance.
• Calculate the voltage drop across a load in a circuit when you know the
current flow and resistance of the load.
Training Center Note

This knowledge module is a prerequisite to a skill, or “hands-on”, module you
will take at your Training Center. Before starting that skill module, you will be
asked by your instructor to validate your knowledge on the subject of this
module. We suggest that you review the content prior to your arrival at the
Training Center.
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ELC24
ELC24
Glossary Knowledge Module
Alternating Current
Current that first flows in one direction and then reverses its direction.
Amperage
The amount of current flowing in a circuit. Abbreviated using amps or A.
Ampere
The unit of measure for the flow of electrons or current in a circuit.
Battery
A component that produces electric current by converting chemical energy
into electrical energy.
Complete Circuit
A circuit that is uninterrupted: forms a full path from the voltage source to
ground.
Continuity
Used to describe a working electrical circuit or component that is complete;
without breaks or opens.
Current Flow
The flow of electrons through a circuit. Measured in Amperes (Amps).
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Diode Knowledge Module
A semi-conductor that only allows current to flow in a circuit in one direction.
Direct Current
Current flow moving continuously through a conductor in one direction.
Electromagnet
A coil of wire wound around an iron core that becomes magnetized whenever current passes through a wire.
Electromagnetic Field
The invisible field of force which surrounds a charged conductor or coil.
Electronic
Any system using integrated circuits or semi-conductors to control the flow of current.
Ground
The path that current flow follows back to its source.
Magnetic Field
The area near a magnet where the magnetism can actually be detected.
Ohm
The standard unit for measuring the resistance to current flow. The symbol used to designated ohms is Ω. 1 Ω of resistance will
limit current flow to 1 amp when 1 volt is applied to the circuit.
Ohm’s Law
A law that explains the relationship between voltage, current flow, and resistance using equations.
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Ohmmeter Knowledge Module
An electrical meter used to measure the resistance to current flow in a circuit or component. Abbreviated using Ω.
Open Circuit
A circuit in which there is an incomplete path for current to flow.
Resistance
The opposition to current flow in a circuit. It is measured in Ohms (Ω).
Semi-Conductor
An electronic or solid state component that acts as a conductor under some conditions and non-conductor under other
conditions.
Short Circuit
A malfunction in which the circuit is completed incorrectly so that current either flows back to the ground before powering the
load or flows from one circuit to another so that when one is energized, the other operates as well.
Transistor
A semi-conductor that controls a large amount of current flow using a small amount of current flow.
Volt
The unit for measuring electrical potential in a circuit. Applying 1 volt causes 1 amp of current to flow against 1 Ω of resistance.
Voltage
1) The electromotive force that causes current flow in a complete circuit.
2) The potential difference between negatively charged and positively charged points.
Voltage Drop
The difference in voltage between one point in a circuit and another point.
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Understanding Ohm S Law

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ELC24

Screen Number 1.0 - 1

Why This Module is Important

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Voiceover (Narrator, Male) Programming Notes

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Voiceover (Narrator, Male) Programming Notes

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Voiceover (Narrator, Male) Programming Notes

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Voltage = Current Flow x Resistance

An easy way to remember Ohm’s Law is to think of it as a triangle

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Voiceover (Narrator, Male) Programming Notes

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Voltage = Current Flow x Resistance

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Voiceover (Narrator, Male) Programming Notes

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Voiceover (Narrator, Male) Programming Notes

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Voltage = Current Flow x Resistance

2. Now add the numbers to the triangle.

3. The circuit voltage is 14 volts (V).

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Voiceover (Narrator, Male) Programming Notes

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

2. Now add the numbers to the triangle.

3. The circuit resistance is 2 ohms (Ω).

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Voiceover (Narrator, Male) Programming Notes

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

2. Now add the numbers to the

3. The current flow is 4 amps (A).

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Voiceover (Narrator, Male) Programming Notes

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Voiceover (Narrator, Male) Programming Notes

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Voiceover (Narrator, Male) Programming Notes

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Voiceover (Narrator, Male) Programming Notes

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Voltage Drop1 (VD1) = (R1) x Current Flow

Voltage Drop1 (VD1) = 4Ω x 2A

Voltage Drop1 (VD1) = 8V

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Voiceover (Narrator, Male) Programming Notes

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Voltage Drop2 (VD2) = R2 x Current Flow

Voltage Drop2 (VD2) = 2Ω x 2A

Voltage Drop2 (VD2) = 4V

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Voiceover (Narrator, Male) Programming Notes

 2003 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Total Voltage = (VD1) + (VD2)