Changes in Voltage, Current, and Resistance:

Changes in Voltage, Current, and Resistance:

If resistance stays the same, then voltage determines current
If voltage stays the same, then resistance determines current
Current is dependent on the voltage and the resistance
Staying with the similarities between electricity and water, let’s see what happens when voltage
and resistance change.
When voltage in a circuit changes, with resistance staying the same, current changes.
If you hook up a light bulb to a 1.5 volt battery, and then change the battery out for a 9 volt
battery, the light will shine brighter due to more current flowing through the circuit because of
the higher voltage.
The resistance comes from the light and does not change.
Similarly, if you increase water pressure in a pipe, more water will flow through it.

When resistance in a circuit changes, with voltage staying the same, current changes. In an arc
flash, resistance drops close to zero on a high voltage circuit, leading to current drastically
increasing, and creating an explosion.
Similarly, if you accidentally cut into a high volume, high pressure water pipe, the sudden
explosion of water could harm you.
Current is difficult to control in a circuit. That is why it is so important to be aware of arc flash
hazards. The rapidly increasing current in an arc flash can cause life altering injuries and even
death.