# Can the displacement current be equal to and opposite in sign to the conduction current so the total current will be zero?

Dor
If so, what will I measure in the Ampermeter, the zero total current or the value of the conduction current?

I was thinking of the following example- a circuit consist of a current source, an Ampermeter, a switch, and a semiconductor. The semiconductor can have both conduction and displacement currents since it is a dielectric conductor. At some point in time I'm switching off the circuit (infintly fast) and so the current at the outer circuit is zero. The electric field will change in time thus there will be a displacement current. To make the total current zero, the conduction current needs to cancel the displacement current. Is this description true? Thanks

Homework Helper
Gold Member
"Can the displacement current be equal to and opposite in sign to the c"
has been truncated. So, it might seem [at a quick glance] that you are asking about the speed of light, c.

I think the full title is something like
"Can the displacement current be equal to and opposite in sign to the conduction current?"

Dale
Dor
Sorry Dale and thank you robphy for drewing my attention. I've edited the title to a more reasonable one

Mentor
No problem! Since my post was based on a mistaken understanding I have deleted it.

Dor