The electric potential &PHgr; and field -∇&PHgr; distributions are deduced form the current continuity equation ∇⋅ ([&Sgr;>⋅∇&PHgr;) =-j∥ by using the 'observed' distribution of the field-aligned currents j∥ as the boundary condition for two ionospheric conductivity models; here [&Sgr;> denotes the ionospheric conductivity tensor. The first model has one conductive annular ring, which represents the quiet time diffuse auroral precipitation belt, and the second model has two conductive annular rings, which simualte the discrete and diffuse auroral regions during the magnetospheric substorm. The distribution of j∥ is the same for both models. It is shown that the first model reproduces the Sqp type potential and electric field and current distribution patterns, while the second model reproduces the substorm-type distribution patterns. The second model also reproduces the Harang discontinuity, in particular the electric field distribution in the vicinity of the discontinuity, observed by a satellite and the Chatanika incoherent scatter radar.