Chapter 2 System Components Sinking and Sourcing Note Note that sinking and sourcing concepts refer to the conventional current flow, which means current flows from the positive potential towards the negative potential. A sinking device provides a path to sink current toward ground or to the return path. A sinking device does not provide power. A sourcing device provides a path that sources current; it provides a path from the power source. In the following diagram, the device on the right is the sourcing device, and the device on the left is the sinking device. (Equivalent circuit only.) 2-18 HAWK MV-4000 Smart Camera Guide