# Does a constant current source add to existing current?

If I have a circuit where one branch contains a constant current source (e.g. 2A), does the current leading out of the current source equal the current leading into it (e.g. 4A) plus the current of the current source? That is, is the current leading out of the current source 2A+4A = 6A?

Or does the current source simply ensure that the current along the entire branch is equal to its value, e.g. if the constant current source was 2A the current along the entire branch would be 2A.

EDIT: Here is a diagram; I'm asking if $I_A = I_B = 5A$ or if $I_B = I_A + 5A$. Apologies for my poor MS paint skills

• if you think of 2 loops with a shared resistor in the middle, and both loops were "pushing" a constant current into the resistor, the current through the resistor (the shared element only!) would be the sum of these currents. A resistor in each loop only would only show the current from that loop present through it. – KyranF Jun 24 '15 at 21:50
• Hi Kyran, I've added a diagram to clarify my question as I don't think I explained the source of my confusion properly. – NewDogOldTricks Jun 24 '15 at 22:00
• What does Kirchoff's current law say about this? – The Photon Jun 24 '15 at 22:04
• It means that the current through the current generator is constant and at the rated value, in your diagram Ia=Ib=5A. This means that both the input and output currents are 5A. For any 2-terminal component, input current=output current. – Chu Jun 24 '15 at 22:13
• @ThePhoton Assuming the constant current source is not "adding" current, then I think both $I_A$ and $I_B$ are 5A according to KCL. Is this interpretation that it is not adding current correct? – NewDogOldTricks Jun 24 '15 at 22:15