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Alternating current (AC) periodically changes direction and amplitude, typically represented by a sine wave. It is the most common form of electrical power transmission and is used in household appliances because it can be easily converted to different voltage levels. AC is capable of long-distance transmission with minimal power loss compared to direct current.
It has the ability to be transmitted over longer distances than Direct Current, due to the fact that you can use Transformers to step the voltage way up or down.
Strictly speaking, it's the the fact that transmission losses are lower for higher voltages (higher voltage = less current for the same power) that makes this so desirable. It's possible to step DC voltages up or down, but it's relatively complicated compared to the "wind a bunch of wire around an iron core" of a transformer.
The basic idea is that the voltage - and therefore also the current - changes direction continuously. For example, if the frequency is 50 Hz, that means a full cycle is 1/50 of a second. In part of one such cycle, the current will go in one direction; in another part of the cycle, it will move in the opposite direction.
AC is generated by a revolving motor which results in a sine wave which travels from positive to negative as the motor completes one revolution of 360 degrees. This development in electrical power generation by Nikola Tesla, and bought by the Westinghouse company, is what soundly beat Thomas Edison's Direct Current (DC) electricity generation from Edison Electric. DC does not have the capacity for the long range transmission of electricity that AC does. It is said that so many wires were strung around New York before Tesla revolutionized the industry with AC that they blocked out sunlight.
Direct current is what batteries generate, a voltage and current that travels from positive to negative. Again, it cannot travel very far. However, even though AC is the predominant means of delivering power to homes and businesses, most items that we use in our daily lives are actually DC powered, even if they're plugged into an AC outlet. This is due to what's known as a Transformer inside the device that transforms / converts the incoming AC voltage to a lower DC voltage required to power the device.
All electronic devices have DC power supplies within them.
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What is current that keeps changing direction?
Alternating current (AC) is a type of electric current that changes direction periodically. It is commonly used in household electricity systems because it allows for easy voltage transformation and long-distance transmission.
What is the electric current supplied to most homes celled?
The electric current supplied to most homes is alternating current (AC).
What is an electric current that periodically changes direction?
An electric current that periodically changes direction is called an alternating current (AC). In AC circuits, the flow of electric charge reverses direction many times per second, typically at a frequency of either 50 or 60 Hz. This is in contrast to a direct current (DC) in which the flow of electric charge remains constant in one direction.
What are the 2 types of electrical current called?
The two types of electrical current are direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC). Direct current flows in one direction only, while alternating current changes direction periodically.
A current that moves back and forth is?
An alternating current (AC) is a type of electric current that changes direction periodically. It moves back and forth in a cyclic manner, typically in a sinusoidal waveform. AC is commonly used in household power supply systems and many electronic devices.
What is alternating current machine?
"What is alternating current machine?"
What is a graphical representation of alternating current?
The symbol for alternating current is: ~
Does vac stand for volt amp current or volt alternating current?
Vac usually stands for voltage alternating current. It represents the voltage of an alternating current electrical system.
Is your house alternating or direct current?
Alternating current. Direct current is used in batteries.
What is Alternating current is measured in?
Alternating current is measured in amperes (A) for electric current, volts (V) for voltage, and hertz (Hz) for frequency.
Which is better for transmission alternating current and direct current?
Alternating current is better than direct current for transmission.
Alternating current is produced by battery or generators?
A generator produces alternating current.
What is a sentence with the word alternating current in it?
Nicola Tesla is the father of alternating current.
Does 1996 Dodge Ram have generator or alternator?
It is technically an alternating current generator.It is technically an alternating current generator.
What is current that keeps changing direction?
Alternating current (AC) is a type of electric current that changes direction periodically. It is commonly used in household electricity systems because it allows for easy voltage transformation and long-distance transmission.
What is variable alternating current?
A current which changes its direction of flow again and again is known as alternating current.
What current flows in one direction then the opposite direction?
AC, Alternating Current.
