Conductance

A conductance matrix gives the relationship between currents and voltage drops. In the following figure, two conductors at voltages V₁ and V₂ are touching a bar with a conductance, G.

Because the bar is not a perfect insulator, current will flow between the two conductors. Given the conductors shown on the previous page, the relationship between the conduction current and the voltage drop, V, in each conductor is I = GV.

where

• I is the conduction current,
• G is the conductance, measured in Siemens, and
• V is the voltage drop given by V₁-V₂.

Conductance, as evident from the equation, is the inverse of resistance. Therefore, if a material has a large conductance, it will be a better conductor, and if it has a low conductance, it will be a better resistor.