What is an alternating current (AC)?
Q: What is an alternating current (AC)?
A: An alternating current (AC) is an electric current of which magnitude and direction vary, unlike direct current, whose direction remains constant.
Q: What is the usual waveform of an AC power circuit?
A: The usual waveform of an AC power circuit is a sine wave because this leads to the most efficient transmission of energy.
Q: Are there different waveforms used in certain applications?
A: Yes, in certain applications, different waveforms are used, such as triangular or square waves.
Q: What type of wave is produced by inexpensive power inverters?
A: Inexpensive power inverters produce a square wave with a pause between the change in direction.
Q: Where does alternating current come from?
A: When one speaks of alternating current, one mostly refers to the form in which electricity is delivered to businesses and residences, and the AC comes from a power plant.
Q: How many times does the direction of the electricity switch back every second?
A: The direction of the electricity switches back 60 times every second (or 50 times in some parts of the world).
Q: What examples of alternating current signals are carried on electrical wire?
A: Both audio and radio signals carried on electrical wire are examples of alternating current. In these applications, an important goal is often the recovery of information encoded or modulated onto the AC signal.
