What is voltage a measure of?

Voltage is a measure of electromotive force, which is the electrical force or potential difference that drives electric current through a circuit. It represents the energy per unit charge available to move electrons from one point to another, enabling current to flow.

Understanding voltage as electromotive force is essential in HVAC systems, as it helps technicians determine how electrical components will operate within the system, including motors, controls, and other devices that require electricity to function properly. Voltage essentially measures the "push" behind the flow of electric current, influencing how effectively components will operate.

The other options, while related to electricity, do not define voltage accurately. Electric current measures the flow of electrons in a circuit, resistance indicates how much a material opposes the flow of current, and power is the rate at which energy is consumed or produced. Each of these concepts plays a critical role in electrical systems, but they are distinct from what voltage specifically measures.