An Understanding of Ohm’s Law

What is Ohm’s Law?

Ohm’s Law has to do with the relationship between voltage, current and resistance. George Ohm discovered that, at a fixed temperature, the current running through a conductor is directly proportional to the voltage across those two points. Before we go any further, are you still following?

Well, it’s easier to understand as an equation. Ohm’s Law looks like this:

Current (I) = Voltage (V) / Resistance (R)

or

I = V / R

So, if you know any two values in this equation, you can figure out the third! Now, why does this matter in vaping?

How Ohm’s Law Applies to Vaping

A vape device is, in essence, a circuit with a current, voltage and resistance. Many devices have variable settings that allow you to adjust each of these factors separately.

Current (I) is measured in amperes and is the amount of electricity flowing through your vape device.

Voltage (V) measures the potential difference in energy between two points. Since many devices have variable voltage, it’s important to understand how this measure affects the performance of your vape.

Resistance (R) is measured in ohms, a term you’ve probably heard in the vaping world. Sub-ohm vaping is exactly what it sounds like: vaping with a resistance of less than one ohm.

Power (P), which is measured in watts, can also be found using Ohm’s law by multiplying voltage and current. The wattage of a device is a common selling point. Generally, higher wattage means bigger clouds and stronger vapor.

Why Understanding Ohm’s Law Matters for Vapers

First off, understanding Ohm’s Law can help you practice battery safety. Batteries at rated at specific resistance levels. This fact is pertinent for sub-ohm vapers because at sub-ohm resistance, the wrong battery can overheat or explode. Therefore, it’s important for sub-ohm vapers to measure the resistance they are working with and choose the right batteries.

In addition, understanding Ohm’s Law is essential to understanding coils which are the core of vape devices. Coils are simply thin wire wrapped into a coil. How tightly they are wrapped determines their resistance. The resistance of your coil has a direct impact on the power of your vape. It controls how much electricity runs through your device. That electricity is what heats up the e-liquid, so the volume of the current running through your coil is directly related to how quickly and how much vapor your device produces. In other words, your coil allows you to optimize power, performance and flavor.

By understanding Ohm’s Law and the power formula, sub-ohm vapers can do the math themselves to ensure safety and prevent any accidents! Of course, if you’re not a fan of math, there are plenty of online tools you can use like this one.

At VanGo, we take vape safety seriously, and if you have any questions about Ohm’s Law or vaping in general, we’d be happy to answer them. Get in touch with us here or DM us on Instagram @vangovapes!