This article will show how to convert electric current measurement units from milliamperes (mA) 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, Milliampere, and Gigaampere
Let’s get started by understanding the key definitions of Ampere (A), Milliampere (mA), and Gigaampere (GA). Understanding these terms will allow you to perform conversions confidently.
What is an 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 thousand milliamperes (103 mA or 1,000 mA).
What is a Milliampere?
A milliampere (mA) is a unit of electric current in the SI system equal to one thousandth (1/1,000) of an ampere (0.001 A).
Milliamps are simply amps divided by 1,000, like breaking a dollar into pennies. They’re the standard unit for devices such as phones, LED bulbs, or fitness trackers, where currents are tiny. Milliamps simplify design, troubleshooting, and documentation, keeping numbers clean and reducing errors.
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.
mA 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 milli- prefix in the International System of Units (SI) represents a multiplier of 10-3 (0.001) while the giga- represents a multiplier of 109 (1,000,000,000).
So, to convert from milliamps to gigaamps, divide the number of milliamps (I(mA)) by 1012 (1,000,000,000,000).
I(GA) = I(mA) ÷ 1012 = I(mA) ÷ 1,000,000,000,000
Or remember the mA-to-GA conversion factor: 1 mA = 10-12 = 0.000000000001 GA
mA to GA conversion table
The conversion table below provides a handy reference for converting electric current measurement units from milliamperes (mA) to gigaamperes (GA). It covers a range from 0.1 mA to 1,000 mA, allowing for easy and quick conversions between these units of measurement.
| Milliamperes (mA) | Gigaamperes (GA) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 mA | 0.0000000000001 GA |
| 0.5 mA | 0.0000000000005 GA |
| 1 mA | 0.000000000001 GA |
| 2 mA | 0.000000000002 GA |
| 4 mA | 0.000000000004 GA |
| 5 mA | 0.000000000005 GA |
| 10 mA | 0.00000000001 GA |
| 20 mA | 0.00000000002 GA |
| 30 mA | 0.00000000003 GA |
| 40 mA | 0.00000000004 GA |
| 50 mA | 0.00000000005 GA |
| 60 mA | 0.00000000006 GA |
| 70 mA | 0.00000000007 GA |
| 80 mA | 0.00000000008 GA |
| 90 mA | 0.00000000009 GA |
| 100 mA | 0.0000000001 GA |
| 200 mA | 0.0000000002 GA |
| 500 mA | 0.0000000005 GA |
| 800 mA | 0.0000000008 GA |
| 1,000 mA | 0.000000001 GA |
Examples
Now, let's look at an example that illustrates the calculations required to convert from milliamperes to gigaamperes (mA to GA).
Example: Global Distributed Computing Network
A global distributed computing network is composed of trillions of microcontrollers that send status data continuously, with each device operating in the milliampere range. Expressing the total current in gigaamperes provides a clear perspective on the network’s overall energy demand.
If 1.5 trillion devices each draw 0.67 mA, how many gigaamperes is that? You need it to evaluate the total current draw and design an efficient power infrastructure
Solution
The total electric current drawn by 1.5 trillion sensors is:
Since 1 gigaampere (GA) = 1012 = 1,000,000,000,000 milliamperes (mA), we can convert 1,005,000,000,000 mA to gigaamperes by using the following formula:
Therefore, the 1,005,000,000 mA electric current is equivalent to 1.005 GA.
To solve the problem with our calculator, follow the steps below:
- Enter the value in milliamperes: For this example, enter
1,005,000,000,000into theFrombox. - View the result: The converter instantly calculates and displays the equivalent value in gigaamperes:
1.005 GA.
FAQs
Is 1 milliampere or 1 gigaampere larger?
A gigaampere (GA) is a trillion times bigger than a milliampere (mA). Here are the relationships between the units:
1 GA = 1012 = 1,000,000,000,000 mA1 mA = 10-12 = 1 ÷ 1,000,000,000,000 = 0.000000000001 GA
How to convert from milliamperes to gigaamperes?
To convert electric current from milliamperes (mA) to gigaamperes (GA), follow these simple steps:
- Write down the electric current value in
milliamperes (mA). - Multiply it by the value of a
mA-to-GAconversion factor:10-12or0.000000000001. - The result of multiplication is the value of the electric current in
gigaamperes (GA).
Why do I need to convert milliamperes to gigaamperes?
Converting milliamperes to gigaamperes is essential when you need to aggregate very small currents from an enormous number of devices. In large-scale systems, the individual currents measured in milliamperes add up to a massive total. Expressing these total values in gigaamperes provides a compact and understandable form, reducing the burden of dealing with many zeros.
This conversion also helps prevent calculation errors and makes it easier to compare the values with system specifications. When working with trillions of milliampere-level signals in global networks or ultra-large distributed systems, using gigaamperes streamlines design and analysis.
You now know how to convert electric current from milliamperes (mA) to gigaamperes (GA). You can quickly use our calculator to convert between the electric current measurement units to save time for future calculations.
