Alternating Current (AC) Fundamentals

Alternating Current (AC)

• Electric charge flow changes direction periodically
• Most commonly used and preferred electric power for household equipment, offices, and buildings
• First tested in 1832 based on Michael Faraday's principles using a Dynamo Electric Generator
• Identified in a waveform called a sine wave (curved line)
• Electric cycles are measured per second, read as Hertz (Hz)
• Easy to generate and transport over long distances with relatively low energy loss
• Capable of powering electric motors used in refrigerators, washing machines, etc.

Direct Current (DC)

• Electric current flows in a single direction with steady voltage
• Major use is to supply power to electrical devices and charge batteries
• Examples: mobile phone batteries, flashlights, flat-screen TVs, electric vehicles
• Represented by a plus and a minus sign, dotted line, or straight line
• Devices that run on batteries and use AC adapters or USB cables rely on DC

Key Differences between AC and DC

• AC can be transferred over long distances with minimal energy loss, while DC loses power over long distances
• AC has a frequency (50 Hz or 60 Hz), while DC has no frequency or zero frequency
• AC flow changes direction periodically, while DC flow is steady in one direction
• Electrons in AC change direction, while electrons in DC move in one direction

Learn about the basics of Alternating Current, its history, and characteristics. Discover how it works and its applications in everyday life.