What does conventional current flow represent?

Conventional current flow represents the direction of current as moving from positive to negative. This definition stems from historical conventions established before the actual nature of electron flow was understood. Historically, it was assumed that electric current consisted of positive charge carriers moving through a circuit. Therefore, in conventional current, the flow is defined as going from the positive terminal of a power source to the negative terminal.

In practical applications, while electrons—negatively charged particles—actually flow from negative to positive, the convention of using positive to negative for current direction remains standard in circuit analysis and design. This framework allows electricians and engineers to apply consistent rules when working with electrical systems, regardless of the actual charge carrier types involved.

Understanding this concept is crucial for anyone studying electrical principles, as it lays the foundation for further principles in circuit theory and analysis.