Alternating Current (AC) Electricity

by Ron Kurtus (revised 2 June 2009) Alternating current (AC) electricity is the type of electricity commonly used in homes and businesses throughout the world. While direct current (DC) electricity flows in one direction through a wire, AC electricity alternates its direction in a back-and-forth motion. The direction alternates between 50 and 60 times per second, depending on the electrical system of the country. AC electricity is created by an AC electric generator, which determines the frequency. What is special about AC electricity is that the voltage can be readily changed, thus making it more suitable for long-distance transmission than DC electricity. But also, AC can employ capacitors and inductors in electronic circuitry, allowing for a wide range of applications.

Difference between AC and DC electricity

Electrons have negative () electrical charges. Since opposite charges attract, they will move toward an area consisting of positive (+) charges. This movement is made easier in an electrical conductor, such as a metal wire.

Electrons move direct with DC electricity

With DC electricity, connecting a wire from the negative () terminal of a battery to the positive (+) terminal will cause the negative charged electrons to rush through the wire toward the positive charged side. The same thing happens with a DC generator, where the motion of coiled wire through a magnetic field pushes electrons out of one terminal and attracts electrons to the other terminal.

Electrons alternate directions in AC electricity

With an AC generator, a slightly different configuration alternates the push and pull of each generator terminal. Thus the electricity in the wire moves in one direction for a short while and then reverses its direction when the generator armature is in a different position. This illustration gives an idea of how the electrons move through a wire in AC electricity. Of course, both ends of the wire extend to the AC generator or source of power. The rate that the voltage or current peaks pass a given point is the frequency of the AC electricity.

Advantages of AC electricity
There are distinct advantages of AC over DC electricity. The ability to readily transform voltages is the main reason we use AC instead of DC in our homes.

Transforming voltages
The major advantage that AC electricity has over DC electricity is that AC voltages can be readily transformed to higher or lower voltage levels, while it is difficult to do that with DC voltages. Since high voltages are more effecient for sending electricity great distances, AC electricity has an advantage over DC. This is because the high voltages from the power station can be easily reduced to a safer voltage for use in the house. Changing voltages is done by the use of a transformer. This device uses properties of AC electromagnets to change the voltages. (See AC Transformers for more information.)

Tuning circuits
AC electricity also allows for the use of a capacitor and inductor within an electrical or electronic circuit. These devices can affect the way the alternating current passes through a circuit. They are only effective with AC electricity. A combination of a capacitor, inductor and resistor is used as a tuner in radios and televisions. Without those devices, tuning to different stations would be very difficult.

Summary
We commonly use AC electricity to power our television, lights and computers. In AC electricity, the current alternates in direction. AC electricity was proven to be better for supplying electricity than DC, primarily because the voltages can be transformed. AC also allows for other devices to be used, opening a wide range of applications. The rate that the voltage or current peaks pass a given point is the frequency of the AC electricity.

Advantages of AC electricity
There are distinct advantages of AC over DC electricity. The ability to readily transform voltages is the main reason we use AC instead of DC in our homes.

Transforming voltages
The major advantage that AC electricity has over DC electricity is that AC voltages can be readily transformed to higher or lower voltage levels, while it is difficult to do that with DC voltages. Since high voltages are more effecient for sending electricity great distances, AC electricity has an advantage over DC. This is because the high voltages from the power station can be easily reduced to a safer voltage for use in the house.

Changing voltages is done by the use of a transformer. This device uses properties of AC electromagnets to change the voltages. (See AC Transformers for more information.)

Tuning circuits
AC electricity also allows for the use of a capacitor and inductor within an electrical or electronic circuit. These devices can affect the way the alternating current passes through a circuit. They are only effective with AC electricity. A combination of a capacitor, inductor and resistor is used as a tuner in radios and televisions. Without those devices, tuning to different stations would be very difficult.

Summary
We commonly use AC electricity to power our television, lights and computers. In AC electricity, the current alternates in direction. AC electricity was proven to be better for supplying electricity than DC, primarily because the voltages can be transformed. AC also allows for other devices to be used, opening a wide range of applications.

Direct Current (DC) Electricity

by Ron Kurtus (revised 11 January 2004) Direct current or DC electricity is the continuous movement of electrons from an area of negative () charges to an area of positive (+) charges through a conducting material such as a metal wire. Whereas static electricity sparks consist of the sudden movement of electrons from a negative to positive surface, DC electricity is the continuous movement of the electrons through a wire. A DC circuit is necessary to allow the current or steam of electrons to flow. Such a circuit consists of a source of electrical energy (such as a battery) and a conducting wire running from the positive end of the source to the negative terminal. Electrical devices may be included in the circuit. DC electricity in a circuit consists of voltage, current and resistance. The flow of DC electricity is similar to the flow of water through a hose.

Continuous movement of electrons

DC electricity is the continuous movement of electrons through a conducting material such as a metal wire. The electrons move toward a positive (+) potential in the wire. In reality, there are millions of electrons weaving their way among the atoms in the wire. This is just an illustration of the movement.

Electrical circuit
An electrical circuit consisting of a source of DC power and a wire making a complete circuit is required for DC electricity to flow. (See DC circuits for more information.)

A flashlight is a good example of a DC circuit

Current shown opposite

Although the negative charged electrons move through the wire toward the positive (+) terminal of the source of electricity, the current is indicated as going from positive to negative. This is an unfortunate and confusing convention. Ben Franklin originally named charges positive (+) and negative () when he was studying static electricity. Later, when scientists were experimenting with electrical currents, they said that electricity travels from (+) to (), and that became the convention. This was before electrons were discovered. In reality, the negative charged electrons move toward the positive, which is the opposite direction that people show current moving. It is confusing, but once a convention is made, it is difficult to correct it.

Voltage, current and resistance

The electricity moving through a wire or other conductor consists of its voltage (V), current (I) and resistance (R). Voltage is potential energy, current is the amount of electrons flowing through the wire, and resistance is the friction force on the electron flow. A good way to picture DC electricity and to understand the relationship between voltage, current and resistance is to think of the flow of water through a hose, as explained below.

Electrical voltage
A potential or pressure builds up at one end of the wire, due to an excess of negatively charged electrons. It is like water pressure building up in a hose. The pressure causes the electrons to move through the wire to the area of positive charge. This potential energy is called Voltage, its unit of measurement is the Volt.

Electrical current
The number of electrons is called current and its unit of measurement is the Ampere or Amp. Electrical current is like the rate that water flows through a hose.

Resistance
An Ohm is the unit of measurement of the electrical resistance. A conductor like a piece of metal has its atoms so arranged that electrons can readily pass around the atoms with little friction or resistance. In a nonconductor or poor conductor, the atoms are so arranged as to greatly resist or impede the travel of the electrons. This resistance is similar to the friction of the hose against the water moving through it.

Comparison with hose

The following chart compares water running in a hose and DC electricity flowing in a wire:

Water in a Hose pressure rate of flow

DC in a Wire

Electrical Units

potential (V) Volts current (I) resistance (R) Amps

friction

Ohms

Analogy between a Hose and Electricity in a Wire

Creating DC electricity
Although static electricity can be discharged through a metal wire, it is not a continuous source of DC electricity. Instead, batteries and DC generators are used to create DC.

Batteries
Batteries rely on chemical reactions to create DC electricity. Car battery The automobile battery consists of lead plates in a sulfuric acid solution. When the plates are given a charge from the car's generator or alternator, they change chemically and hold the charge. That source of DC electricity can then be used to power the car's lights and

such. The biggest problem with this type of battery is that sulfuric acid is very caustic and dangerous. Lemon battery Another battery that you can make yourself is a lemon battery. This one needs no charging but depends on the acidic reaction of different metals. Copper and zinc work the best. You can use a copper penny or copper piece of wire. A zinccoated or galvanized nail can be used as the other terminal. A standard iron nail will work, but not as good. Push the copper wire and galvanized nail into an ordinary lemon and measure the voltage across the metals with a voltmeter. Some people have been able to dimly light a flashlight bulb with this battery.

DC generator
Another reliable source of DC electricity is the DC generator, which consists of coils of wire spinning between North and South magnets. (See Generating Electrical Current for more information.)

Summary
Direct current or DC electricity is the continuous movement of electrons from negative to positive through a conducting material such as a metal wire. A DC circuit is necessary to allow the current or steam of electrons to flow. In a circuit, the direction of the current is opposite the flow of electrons. DC electricity in a circuit consists of voltage, current and resistance. The flow of DC electricity is similar to the flow of water through a hose. Batteries and DC generators are the sources to create DC electricity.