Electricity
The Basics — Symbols and Formulas
| Quantity | Symbol | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | E | Joules (J) |
| Voltage | U or V | Volts (V) |
| Current | I | Amperes (A) |
| Power | P | Watts (W) |
| Resistance | R | Ohms (Ω) |
Essential formulas:
P = U × I (power = voltage × current)
P = R × I² (loss by resistance)
P = E / time (power = energy / duration)
U = I × R (Ohm's law)Machine Voltage
Each machine requires a precise voltage. Too low voltage and the machine does not work. Too high voltage and it explodes.
| Voltage | Machine Examples |
|---|---|
| 120 V | Basic machines, simple grinder, electric furnace |
| 240 V | Intermediate machines |
| 480 V | Advanced machines, fusion reactor |
| 960 V | End-game machines, particle injector |
How to know a machine's voltage?
Hover over the machine in your inventory — the voltage is displayed in the tooltip. Otherwise, look at the colored markings on the block or the machine's GUI.
Energy Ports
All machines have universal colored ports:
- Red — Energy Input
- Grey — Energy Output
Cables and Resistance
Cables have two key properties:
- Resistance (Ω) — determines energy loss. The longer the cable, the greater the loss. Calculate with
P = R × I² - Rated Current (A) — maximum supported current. If exceeded, the cable catches fire and is destroyed
Neutral Current — doubled loss
Electrodynamics simulates a return conductor. The actual loss is therefore twice the loss calculated by P = R × I². Actual formula: P_perte = 2 × R × I²
Insulation Types
| Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Wool | Cheap, colorable (black = universal) | Flammable |
| Ceramic | Fireproof, ideal near lava | More expensive, less effective insulation |
| Logistic | Emits a redstone signal when powered | Special variant of wool cable |
Colored Cables
Black (wool) and brown (ceramic) are the default colors — they connect to everything. Other colors only connect to each other or to the default color. Useful for running multiple lines side-by-side without connecting them.
In-game Cable Modification
- Right-click + Shears — removes insulation from a placed cable
- Right-click + Insulation — applies insulation to a bare cable
- Right-click + Redstone — converts a wool cable into a logistic cable
- Right-click + Dye — colors a placed cable
Transformers
To change your network's voltage:
| Type | Effect | Base Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Step-Up | Doubles voltage, divides current by 2 | 0.5:1 |
| Step-Down | Divides voltage by 2, doubles current | 2:1 |
| Mk2 (Step-Up/Step-Down) | Programmable ratio via interface | Variable |
Danger — Electrocution
Basic transformers will instantly kill you if you walk on them when they are powered. Mk2 versions are enclosed and safe to touch. All transformers have slight energy losses.
Protection and Control Devices
| Block | Role |
|---|---|
| Relay | Cuts current on redstone signal. No loss. Simple switch. |
| Circuit Breaker | Automatically cuts if voltage or current is dangerous. Slight energy loss. |
| Current Regulator | Limits downstream current to a max value. Cannot cut the flow. |
| Circuit Monitor | Emits a redstone signal (15) when a condition is met (power, voltage, current...). |
| Potentiometer | Programmable energy sink. Absorbs up to the configured value. |
Multimeter
Right-click with the portable multimeter on any cable to display in chat:
- Actual current / rated current
- Operating voltage
- Transmitted power (W)
- Total network resistance
- Loss by resistance
- Lowest voltage machine connected
Forge Energy (FE) Compatibility
Electrodynamics cables can power FE machines. 1:1 conversion (1 J = 1 FE). Warning: Electrodynamics assumes all FE machines operate at 120 V. Powering an FE machine with 240 V or more will make it explode.
Inrush Current
When a machine connects to a network, it briefly draws more current than normal to fill its internal buffer. This peak can falsely trip a circuit breaker. Cables tolerate this peak for a few ticks before failing.
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