Nowadays electricity is the main source and almost every man-made thing around us is powered by electricity. Electricity is categorized into two forms those are DC and AC, or direct current and alternating current.
In this article, we will discuss DC current
and AC current, and the difference between DC and AC.
You will also know what is direct current
and what is alternating current, AC DC electricity, the use of high
voltage direct current in DC electricity, and high voltage
alternating current in AC electricity or conventional current.
Direct Current (DC)
Direct current is a flow of electricity in one direction only. It is produced by batteries, fuel cells, and solar panels and is stored in capacitors. The direct current from batteries and fuel cells is constant, it does not change with time. Solar panels produce a direct current that varies with the intensity of sunlight.
Definition
An electric current that flows in one direction only is known as a direct current (DC). It is produced by batteries, fuel cells, solar panels, and dynamos. The direction of the current is from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of the source. Important applications of direct current include electroplating, cathode ray tubes, DC motors, and DC generators.
Uses
Direct current has many uses, from charging the batteries to large-scale
power distribution.
Some of the most common uses for DC include:
- Charging batteries
- Operating electronic devices such as computers, cell phones, and TVs
- Running motors in devices such as fans, drills, and trains
- Powering Street and household lighting
Advantages
The chief advantages of DC are that:
- Generation, transmission, and distribution losses are lower.
- DC can be generated at any required voltage.
- Load regulation is easier.
- equipment is simpler and cheaper.
- It is possible to use long conductors without excessive voltage drop.
Disadvantages
There are a few disadvantages to using direct current, especially when compared to alternating current. The biggest disadvantage is that direct current cannot be easily transformed to higher or lower voltages. For example, if you want to increase the voltage of an alternating current, you can simply use a transformer. With direct current, however, you would need a more complex and expensive system.
Alternating Current (AC)
An electric current that periodically reverses direction is alternating current (AC), in contrast to direct current which flows only in one direction. AC is a form of electric power delivered to businesses and residences.
Definition
Alternating current (AC) periodically reverses its direction, in contrast to direct current (DC) which flows only in one direction. An alternating current (AC) is an electric current that changes direction periodically. It is produced by natural phenomena such as lightning and man-made sources such as generators and transformers. The most important application of alternating current is in the electricity supply industry where it is used to transmit electricity over long distances.
Uses
The main uses for AC are listed below:
-In the home, for providing lighting, powering appliances, and so on
-In industry, for powering motors, lighting, and so on
-For long-distance transmission of electricity
- In homes and industry
AC powers most appliances in houses, including lights, radios,
televisions, and computers. In industry, it is used to power a wide range of
machinery, from small motors to large ones such as factory assembly line
conveyor belts.
- For long-distance transmission of electricity
AC can be easily transformed to higher or lower voltages by using a transformer. This means it can be transmitted over long distances using high-voltage cables without causing any significant energy losses.
Advantages
There are many advantages of alternating current which include:
-It can be generated more efficiently than direct current
-It can be transmitted over long distances more efficiently than direct current
-It can be used with a variety of voltages and its voltage level can be easily
stepped up or stepped down
-It is more easily controlled and manipulated than direct current
Disadvantages
While alternating current is more efficient and can carry signals over longer distances with less power loss, there are some disadvantages to using AC power. One of the biggest disadvantages is that AC power can be dangerous if not handled properly. Alternating currents can cause serious shock and even death if a person comes into contact with live wires. In addition, AC power can be disruptive to electronics and can cause interference with radio and television signals.
Differences Between DC and AC
Direct current (DC) is a unidirectional flow of electric charge. An alternating current (AC), on the other hand, is an electric current that periodically reverses direction. In other words, the direction of the current flow changes with time.
The following are some differences between DC and AC:
1. Voltage
The main difference between DC and AC electricity is the direction of the flow of electrons. The current just flows in one direction in a DC circuit. In an AC circuit, the current changes direction periodically. The voltage in a DC circuit also flows in one direction only, whereas the voltage in an AC circuit alternates.
2. Current
Direct current (DC) is an electric current that flows in one direction only, while alternating current (AC) cyclically alternates its direction. The main difference between DC and AC is that DC represents a constant flow of electrons, while AC represents periodic reversals in the direction of the electron flow.
3. Efficiency
The main difference between DC and AC is efficiency. DC is more efficient than AC because it loses less energy in its transmission. This is because DC flows in a single direction, while AC reverses direction periodically. As a result, DC requires less conductor material to transmit the same amount of power as AC.
4. Economical
As controlling and manipulating alternating current (AC)
is easy and its voltage level is easy to change, the accessories and equipment
used for controlling, manipulating, and changing characteristics levels, transmission, and distribution of alternating current are more economical.
All accessories and equipment used for the processes of direct current (DC) are more costly and complex than alternating current (AC). So, the economical factor is a plus for AC and that’s why the commercial and domestic use of alternating current is higher than direct current.
5. Applications
The main application difference between DC and AC is that DC is used for
electronics, whereas AC is used for electromechanics.
Direct current is used in electronic circuits because it allows for precise
control of the voltage and current. In contrast, alternating current is used in
electromechanics because it can be easily transformed to other voltages using a
transformer.
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