Kirchhoff's current law
Also: KCL, node law
Current entering a node balances current leaving it.
KCL follows charge conservation when charge accumulation at the ideal node is negligible.
- Formula
ΣI = 0 at a node
Example If 5 mA enters and 2 mA leaves one path, 3 mA must leave another.
Common misconception KCL conserves charge flow, not voltage or power at the node.