Potential is a term, which is used to indicate the electrical state or a body with respect to a standard reference. The potential of the earth is regarded as the reference of potential and is not afflicted by ant charge given to it or taken away form it. Thus the potential of earth remains the same and it is referred to as zero potential.

Any charged conductor, which is capable of sending electricity to the earth when connected to it, is said to be at a positive potential. On the other hand, any charged conductor, which receives electricity form the earth when connected to it, is said to be at a negative potential.

Potential difference between any two points in an electric circuit is that difference in their electrical state which tends to cause a flow of electricity form one point to the other.

The unit of potential or potential difference in practical as well in m.k.s. (or S.I.) system of units is volt. The volt is defined as that potential difference between two points of a conductor carrying a current of one ampere when the power dissipated between these points is equal to one watt.

The International Volt is slightly higher than absolute volt (one International Volt = 1.00034 Absolute Volts)  and is defined as the electric pressure which when applied to a conductor of resistance of one International ohm, causes a current of one International ampere.

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