Ronald -
Here's a novel thought - pitch all of the mechanical analogies in the toilet. Not one is worth a pitcher of warm spit. Well, okay, one analogy - one time. One of the first things taught in a Methods of Instruction class, you need a hook to get from the known to the unknown. Once that is done forget the analogy - It Is Useless. For electrical, water in a hose is fine - it is not true, but it allows one to bring in the relationship between voltage, current, resistance, Ohm's Law. Build on that relationship. The equations that describe electricity are a math model. They are repeatable and allow accurate prediction of an electrical system reaction. Any reference to a mechanical analogy is meaningless and distracting.
For those that feel like they need a mechanical analogy to understand - I truely doubt they do. They beleive in the wind - and they can't see that. "But I can feel the wind." Yeah that's great - stick your finger in a light socket. Bet you can feel that too.:roll:
As for the charge carrying component and current direction, it just doesn't matter. Forget it. The equations that make up the math model are completely independent of any notions. Personally, the concept of liking either electron or comventional flow just doesn't come up. Who cares - the equations don't.
Anybody studying the electrical model past Ohm's Law will need basic algerba and trig. With those one can add impedance, inductance, capacitance, real power, reactive power, power factor, concepts of leading, lagging.
I've watched your posts plenty. You easily have the grasp of all the concepts. One look at a graphic showing the definitions of the voltage across an inductor and the current through an inductor you will understand the concept of Lead/Lag immediately - no question. I'll draw one up and get it scanned - hopefully today.
Ditch the mechanical analogies. They just don't fit. And look at some of the nonsense commens they brought. Let the equations tell you the relationships between the current and voltage across components not some hokey, misfit, mechanical analogy.
As for your comment about "Voltage flowing", you are right on. If you hear it, say, "Uh-huh" and walk away. If it is in a textbook, through it in the garbage.
The Worm