Category: Potential

Electrical potential-related units for measuring voltage

Voltage, or electric potential, is the force that drives electric current through circuits. It’s measured in volts and reflects the energy per charge that pushes electrons from one point to another. Understanding potential helps explain how energy is distributed through electrical systems, from household wiring to advanced machinery. Whether it's millivolts or kilovolts, the units of potential quantify the force that makes electricity flow, powering everything from devices to industrial equipment.

Common potential units

Volt (V): The SI unit of electric potential, representing the difference in electric potential between two points when one joule of energy is needed to move one coulomb of charge.
Millivolt (mV): One thousandth of a volt (1 mV = 10⁻³ V), commonly used in low-voltage applications.
Microvolt (µV): One millionth of a volt (1 µV = 10⁻⁶ V), useful in sensitive electrical measurements.