Current – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

Current is the flow of electrical energy, measured in amperes (A), that travels from your vapebattery through the coil and cartridge to heat the e-liquid. In vaping, current determines how fast the coil reaches vaping temperature and therefore how much vapour is produced. A higher current means more power is delivered to the coil, creating warmer, denser vapour and bigger clouds. Beginners can think of current as the “speed” of electricity moving through the device, while advanced users use it to fine-tune flavour, warmth, and vapour volume.

Technical Details

Current is governed by Ohm’s Law: I = V ÷ R (Current = Voltage ÷ Resistance). A Mod“>regulated mod reads the coil’s resistance (in ohms) and adjusts voltage to deliver the current you set (in watts). Most Australian devices operate between 0.5 A and 35 A. Sub-ohm builds (below 1 Ω) draw more current—e.g., a 0.2 Ω coil at 4.2 V pulls 21 A. Variations include:

• Continuous Discharge Rating (CDR): The max current a battery can safely supply for extended periods; critical for mechanical mods.
• Pulsed Current: Short bursts above CDR, common in high-wattage vaping but riskier.
• Clapton Coil builds lower resistance, thus increasing current draw and ramp-up time.

Usage & Tips

Match your coil’s resistance to your battery’s CDR; never exceed 80 % of the CDR for safety. If flavour tastes burnt, current may be too high—lower the wattage or switch to a higher-resistance coil. Check battery wraps for nicks; damaged wraps can cause short circuits and uncontrolled current spikes. When cloud chasing, use high-drain 18650/21700 cells rated ≥25 A and keep cotton well-saturated to prevent dry hits. Finally, clean 510 threads regularly to maintain steady current flow and consistent performance.

History & Context

Early cig-a-likes delivered fixed low current (~1–3 A). The 2010s sub-ohm revolution pushed currents above 20 A, driving battery makers to develop high-drain 18650s and safer chemistry cells. Today’s regulated mods allow precise current control, making high-power vaping safer and more accessible to Australian vapers.