Simple Explanation

A unit that measures how much electric current is flowing.

Concise Technical Definition

The ampere (amp) is the standard unit of electric current, defined as the amount of charge passing a point in a circuit per unit time, specifically one coulomb per second.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Think of electricity like water in a pipe—amperes are how much water (electricity) flows through per second, while voltage is the pressure pushing it.

Industry Usage Summary

In audio and electronics, current ratings in amperes are essential for specifying power supply demands, amplifier capabilities, and wire sizing, especially in high-power or safety-critical installations.

Engineering Shortcut

Amperes = flow rate of electrons; more amps = more current.

Full Technical Explanation

The ampere (A) is the SI unit used to measure the flow of electric charge, or current, in a conductor. It represents the rate at which electrons move past a given point—specifically, one ampere equals one coulomb of charge passing through a point in one second. In circuits, amperes indicate how much electrical current a device draws or a source delivers. Safe system design often requires matching amp ratings to wire gauges, circuit breakers, and component tolerances.