The terms AC and DC refer to electric current. Indirectly, also tensions.
DC - direct current - means direct current. In theory, it is a power supply whose parameters are constant over time. Most often we say that about all sources that give a constant voltage. However, no one can guarantee that the output voltage, e.g. from the power supply, will be e.g. 12.13454V all the time. It can fluctuate or slightly change under the influence of the current consumption and the ambient temperature. In addition, the voltage coming from the power supply may have some ripples resulting from imperfect filtration (e.g. unstabilized power supply and also impulse power supply). It may turn out that the supply voltage is variable (to an extent not important from the point of view of the receiver).
Therefore, the "utility" definition of direct current is a bit broader - it is required not to change its direction. That is why we can name the voltage at the terminals of e.g. a battery, which is first 14.4V, and then slowly decreases due to discharge. Direct current can also be called a power supply from a DC generator driven by a wind turbine, the output voltage of which varies, for example, from 4V to 11V, depending on the current strength of the wind. A photovoltaic panel can be a similar DC source.
AC - alternating current - means alternating current, and more often periodic alternating current, it is one whose value changes in an intended and deterministic manner, i.e. sinusoidal. However, two subgroups can be distinguished here:
- alternating current, i.e. one whose value changes but does not change its direction (does not cross zero)
- alternating current, i.e. a variable whose value changes the sign (passes through zero)
In the Anglo-Saxon literature, the term AC is used to denote the latter type of current, i.e. alternating current. Alternating current can be called all non-zero waveforms that contain ripple or other distortions - that is, what I classified above as DC, because we look at what these waveforms should be intended for. It is difficult to set an unambiguous border, therefore a certain, customary classification has been adopted here. Mains supply 230V 50Hz belongs to AC. The AC supply allows the operation of e.g. induction motors or transformers.
"Author: Michał Kurzela / Futrzaczek"
"Correction: stabilizer"
DC - direct current - means direct current. In theory, it is a power supply whose parameters are constant over time. Most often we say that about all sources that give a constant voltage. However, no one can guarantee that the output voltage, e.g. from the power supply, will be e.g. 12.13454V all the time. It can fluctuate or slightly change under the influence of the current consumption and the ambient temperature. In addition, the voltage coming from the power supply may have some ripples resulting from imperfect filtration (e.g. unstabilized power supply and also impulse power supply). It may turn out that the supply voltage is variable (to an extent not important from the point of view of the receiver).
Therefore, the "utility" definition of direct current is a bit broader - it is required not to change its direction. That is why we can name the voltage at the terminals of e.g. a battery, which is first 14.4V, and then slowly decreases due to discharge. Direct current can also be called a power supply from a DC generator driven by a wind turbine, the output voltage of which varies, for example, from 4V to 11V, depending on the current strength of the wind. A photovoltaic panel can be a similar DC source.
AC - alternating current - means alternating current, and more often periodic alternating current, it is one whose value changes in an intended and deterministic manner, i.e. sinusoidal. However, two subgroups can be distinguished here:
- alternating current, i.e. one whose value changes but does not change its direction (does not cross zero)
- alternating current, i.e. a variable whose value changes the sign (passes through zero)
In the Anglo-Saxon literature, the term AC is used to denote the latter type of current, i.e. alternating current. Alternating current can be called all non-zero waveforms that contain ripple or other distortions - that is, what I classified above as DC, because we look at what these waveforms should be intended for. It is difficult to set an unambiguous border, therefore a certain, customary classification has been adopted here. Mains supply 230V 50Hz belongs to AC. The AC supply allows the operation of e.g. induction motors or transformers.
"Author: Michał Kurzela / Futrzaczek"
"Correction: stabilizer"
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