This article will show how to convert electric current measurement units from microamperes (µA) to gigaamperes (GA). We will cover essential definitions, provide examples, share relevant formulas, and present tables, along with answers to common questions.
Definitions of Ampere, Microampere, and Gigaampere
Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions of Ampere (A), Microampere (µA), and Gigaampere (GA). Understanding these terms will allow you to perform conversions confidently.
What is Ampere?
The ampere (A) is the SI base unit of electric current, representing the amount of charge flowing through a conductor per second.[1] It is defined based on the elementary charge (e), where 1 A = 1 coulomb per second (C/s).
"Amp" is an informal abbreviation commonly used in everyday conversation and electrical contexts, though "A" remains the official SI unit symbol.
According to SI prefixes[2], which are based on powers of 10, an ampere (1 A) is equivalent to one million microamperes (106 µA or 1,000,000 µA).
What is a Microampere?
A microampere (µA) is a unit of electric current in the SI system equal to one millionth (1/1,000,000) of an ampere (10-6 A).
It is commonly used in low-power electronics, medical devices, and precision instrumentation, where small currents are crucial for accurate operation.
What is a Gigaampere?
A gigaampere (GA) is a derived unit of electric current in the SI system equal to one billion amperes (1,000,000,000 A).
Gigaamperes are used in extreme scenarios, such as theoretical models in astrophysics, high-energy plasma physics, or advanced experimental setups, where it’s necessary to describe incredibly large currents in a compact and understandable way.
µA to GA formula
Let’s take a closer look at the conversion formula so you can carry out these conversions independently, whether using a calculator or doing it manually with pencil and paper.
The micro- prefix in the International System of Units (SI) represents a multiplier of 10-6 (0.000001) while the giga- represents a multiplier of 109 (1,000,000,000).
So, to convert from microamps to gigaamps, divide the number of microamps (I(µA)) by 1015 (1,000,000,000,000,000).
I(GA) = I(µA) ÷ 1015 = I(µA) ÷ 1,000,000,000,000,000
Or remember the µA-to-GA conversion factor: 1 µA = 10-15 = 0.000000000000001 GA
µA to GA conversion table
The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting electric current measurement units from microamperes (µA) to gigaamperes (GA). It covers a range from 0.1 µA to 1,000 µA, allowing for easy and quick conversions between these units of measurement.
| Microamperes (µA) | Gigaamperes (GA) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 µA | 0.0000000000000001 GA |
| 0.5 µA | 0.0000000000000005 GA |
| 1 µA | 0.000000000000001 GA |
| 2 µA | 0.000000000000002 GA |
| 4 µA | 0.000000000000004 GA |
| 5 µA | 0.000000000000005 GA |
| 10 µA | 0.00000000000001 GA |
| 20 µA | 0.00000000000002 GA |
| 30 µA | 0.00000000000003 GA |
| 40 µA | 0.00000000000004 GA |
| 50 µA | 0.00000000000005 GA |
| 60 µA | 0.00000000000006 GA |
| 70 µA | 0.00000000000007 GA |
| 80 µA | 0.00000000000008 GA |
| 90 µA | 0.00000000000009 GA |
| 100 µA | 0.0000000000001 GA |
| 200 µA | 0.0000000000002 GA |
| 500 µA | 0.0000000000005 GA |
| 800 µA | 0.0000000000008 GA |
| 1,000 µA | 0.000000000001 GA |
Examples
Now, let's look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from microamperes to gigaamperes (µA to GA).
Example: Global Energy Harvesting Network
A global network of energy harvesting devices produces microampere-level signals. Aggregating these readings results in a large total current expressed in gigaamperes, useful for large-scale energy analysis.
If 1.5 quadrillion (1.5×10¹⁵) devices each generate 3.5 µA, what is the total current in gigaamperes (GA)? You need it to evaluate the overall energy output of the network.
Solution
The total electric current drawn by 1.5 quadrillion sensors is:
Since 1 gigaampere (GA) = 1015 = 1,000,000,000,000,000 microamperes (µA), we can convert 5,250,000,000,000,000 µA to gigaamperes by using the following formula:
Therefore, the 5,250,000,000,000,000 µA electric current is equivalent to 5.25 GA.
To solve the problem with our calculator, follow the steps below:
- Enter the value in microamperes: For this example, enter
5,250,000,000,000,000into theFrombox. - View the result: The converter instantly calculates and displays the equivalent value in gigaamperes:
5.25 GA.
FAQs
Is 1 microampere or 1 gigaampere larger?
A gigaampere (GA) is a quadrillion times bigger than a microampere (µA). Here are the relationships between the units:
1 GA = 1015 = 1,000,000,000,000,000 µA1 µA = 10-15 = 1 ÷ 1,000,000,000,000,000 = 0.000000000000001 GA
How to convert from microamperes to gigaamperes?
To convert electric current from microamperes (µA) to gigaamperes (GA), follow these simple steps:
- Write down the electric current value in
microamperes (µA). - Multiply it by the value of a
µA-to-GAconversion factor:10-15or0.000000000000001. - The result of multiplication is the value of the electric current in
gigaamperes (GA).
Why do I need to convert microamperes to gigaamperes?
Converting microamperes to gigaamperes becomes essential when combining currents from a vast number of devices. It turns many tiny numbers into a single, more manageable value.
This approach simplifies calculations by reducing the number of decimals and aids in comparing the aggregate current against system specifications.
You now know how to convert electric current from microamperes (µA) to gigaamperes (GA). You can quickly use our calculator to convert between the electric current measurement units to save time for future calculations.
