Enter the maximum current (amps), the angular frequency (rad/s), and the time (s) into the calculator to determine the Instantaneous Current. 

Instantaneous Current Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the Instantaneous Current.

I(t) = Im * sin (w*t )
  • Where I(t) is the Instantaneous Current (amps)
  • Im is the maximum current (amps) 
  • w is the angular frequency (rad/s) 
  • t is the time (s) 

To calculate the instantaneous current, multiply the max current by the sine of the product of the angular frequency and time.

How to Calculate Instantaneous Current?

The following example problems outline how to calculate Instantaneous Current.

Example Problem #1

  1. First, determine the maximum current (amps). In this example, the maximum current (amps) is determined to be 40 .
  2. Next, determine the angular frequency (rad/s). For this problem, the angular frequency (rad/s) is measured to be 10 .
  3. Next, determine the time (s). In this case, the time (s) is found to be 5.
  4. Finally, calculate the Instantaneous Current using the formula above: 

I(t) = Im * sin (w*t )

Inserting the values from above and solving yields: 

I(t) = 40 * sin (10*5 ) = -10.494 (amps)

Example Problem #2

Using the same method as above, determine the variables required by the formula. For this example problem, these are:

maximum current (amps) = 50

angular frequency (rad/s) = 6

time (s) = 3

Enter these given values into the calculator or above yields: 

I(t) = 50 * sin (6*3 ) = -37.549 (amps)