The difference between alternating current and direct current

The difference between alternating current and direct current

The difference between alternating current and direct current, flowing electric current through circuits either in the form of alternating current or direct current, As each type of electric current has its uses and advantages, Let’s find out in this topic the difference between Alternating current and direct current in terms of its generation and uses.

What is alternating current?

In electricity, it is denoted by the symbol AC, which is an abbreviation of the phrase (Alternating Current), and in Arabic it means alternating or alternating current.

It relies on the idea of generating it in the form of curved lines in the opposite direction periodically, and it fluctuates during one second 50 or 60 times, and it is called frequency. The value of the frequency varies from one country to another.

It also changes its value by increasing from zero until it reaches the upper limit of the positive part and then decreasing until it returns to zero again and the same process in the opposite direction.

AC output waveform (sine wave)

The difference between alternating current and direct current

uses of alternating current

Alternating current is used to power most household electrical appliances. Like the motors in refrigerators and washing machines, In addition to televisions and computers in feeding battery chargers.

What is direct current?

It is denoted in electricity by the symbol DC, which is an abbreviation of the sentence (Direct Current) and in Arabic it means continuous current and is also called direct current.

Where the direct current flows in the circuit in the form of a current of constant value and direction, That is, the flow of direct current is in one direction with a specific voltage value only, unlike alternating current, which fluctuates between the positive and negative poles.

The difference between alternating current and direct current

What is alternating current?

What is alternating current?

what is alternating current, Alternating or alternating current is classified as one of the following types: Electric current, which is transmitted from electric power stations through transmission wires to long distances under a high voltage.

The electric current is an important and influential factor in the establishment of industrial and commercial projects and the operation of electrical loads of all kinds. So what is alternating current, how does it work, and what type of output wave does it have?

What is alternating current?

Also called alternating current or sinusoidal, It is denoted by the symbol AC, which is an abbreviation for “Alternative current”.

It is defined as the electric current that periodically reverses its direction, oscillating in place repeatedly, 50 or 60 times during one second, depending on the type of electrical system used.

AC circuit with wave shape

What type of current is used in homes?

All residential homes are powered by alternating current. Most electrical appliances are powered by AC current

And when installing a solar energy system, an inverter must be added and connected to the system in order to convert the energy of DC batteries or solar panels into alternating current in order to operate all household electrical appliances.

AC function

The difference between alternating current and direct current

Alternating current generates its energy in the form of a pure sine wave with a maximum voltage and current, Where the wave begins to rise from the zero point to the top of the wave in the positive direction and then begins to decline to the value of zero again.

When the positive half of the wave is finished, the same thing begins to rise to the top of the wave, but in the opposite direction (negative), then the wave also returns to the zero point again.

This completes the full wave of alternating current.

This process happens quickly and without us noticing, Where alternating or alternating current oscillates during one second, 50 or 60 complete cycles.

AC sine waveform

The difference between alternating current and direct current

Features of alternating current

• It can be transported long distances with minimal losses.
• Its voltage can be raised and lowered using an electrical transformer.
• It can generate a changing magnetic field which is useful for moving electric motors.
• The method of generating it is easier than generating direct current, which requires panels and a charging regulator.

DC uses

DC is used in many low voltage applications, especially in all types of electric batteries that only generate DC. DC is also used in some solar energy systems such as Solar cells that generate electricity in the form of direct current only.

Constant linear constant voltage output

What type of current is stored in the batteries?

Some may wonder what kind of current is stored in the battery and can the battery be charged with alternating current.

It’s simple: all batteries have two terminals: the positive terminal (marked in red) and the negative terminal (marked with black or blue),

From these electrodes, we note that the type of electric current to be stored in the battery is direct current.

Because it has a constant value and direction, And also because DC has a positive terminal and a negative terminal.

When the two ends of the alternating current are connected in parallel with the battery poles (positive and negative), alternating current changes its nature,

This is because half of the positive wave cancels out half of the negative wave which causes the terminals to flip and this leads to the battery damage quickly.

The difference between alternating current and direct current

What is direct current?

The difference between alternating current and direct current