How To Calculate Average Current

Current is the rate of "flow" of electrons in an electrical circuit. In other words, it is the amount of electricity traveling past a specific point in a certain time period. Average current refers to the average of every instantaneous current value from zero to the peak and back again on a sine wave; alternating or AC current is represented by a sine wave.

According to Integrated Publishing: Electrical Engineering Training Series, you would use the following formula to determine average current: I avg = 0.636 X I max. I avg is the average current from zero to peak and back to zero (one alteration) and I max is the "peak" current. The unit of measurement for current is the ampere or amp.

Step 1

Write, on a piece of paper, the formula for finding average current: I avg = 0.636 X I max.

Step 2

List all the known information using units; since you are determining average current, you should be given the maximum current by your teacher.

Step 3

List your unknown or what it is you are being asked to find. In this case you are being asked to find the average current.

Step 4

Plug in your values and then follow through; multiply the given maximum voltage by the constant, 0.636, to obtain the average current.