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AC vs DC
What is a Current?
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Current is a flow of electrical charge carriers, usually electrons.
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An electric current always produces a magnetic field.
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Electric current can be :
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Alternating Current
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Direct Current
Difference between AC & DC
AC
DC
VS
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Bi-directional: Electric current changes direction periodically.
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Uni-directional: Electic current only flows in one direction.
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Batteries, solar panel, Generator equipped with the commutator.
Found in
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AC Generator & power plant.
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To convert AC to DC, we use Rectifier.
Converts
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To convert DC to AC, we use Inverter.
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A frequency of AC is 50Hz or 60Hz.
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Means it alternates 50 times per second.
Frequency
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The frequency of the direct current is zero.
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Electrons keep switching directions - forward and backward.
Flow of Electrons
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Electrons move steadily in one direction or 'forward'.
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It is the current of magnitude varying with time
Current
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It is the current of constant magnitude.
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Types of AC signal.
Types
Sinusoidal wave
Trapezoidal wave
Square wave
Triangular wave
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Types of DC signals.
Pulsating DC
Pure DC
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We can not store the AC.
Storage
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We can store the DC in batteries.
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Home and office outlets are almost always used in AC.
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Generating and transporting AC across long distances​​ easy.
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Can be converted from high voltages easily using transformers.
Application
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Everything that runs off of a battery, plugs into the wall with an AC adapter or uses a USB cable for power relies on DC.
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Cell phones
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Flashlights
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Flat-screen TVs (AC goes into the TV, which is converted to DC)
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We can increase or decrease AC voltage using a transformer.
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We can not use a transformer for DC current.
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