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AC And DC Full Form

AC And DC Full Form

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Feb 09, 2023 03:23 PM IST

What is the Full Form of AC And DC?

AC - Alternating Current

AC is the abbreviation used for Alternating Current. Alternating current is the current in which the electric charge-flow periodically changes its direction. AC is the most preferred and most commonly used mode of electric power transmission for household equipment, offices, workplaces, buildings, etc. It was first designed and tested based on the principles of famous scientist Michael Faraday in 1832 using a Dynamo Electric Generator.

This Story also Contains
  1. What is the Full Form of AC And DC?
  2. AC - Alternating Current
  3. Application Of AC
  4. DC - Direct Current
  5. Application Of DC

An alternating current is identified in a waveform which is called a sine wave. In simple words, it can be considered a curved line. These curved lines are represented as electric cycles and are measured every second. The measurement is recorded in Hertz (Hz). AC is used to power electric motors, which are used in refrigerators, washing machines, etc.

Application Of AC

AC has the potential for electric power motors that can further convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. Because of this advantage, AC is found useful in many large electrical appliances like dishwashers, refrigerators, and many other appliances.

DC - Direct Current

DC stands for Direct Current. Unlike alternating currents, the flow of direct currents does not change. The current electricity flows unidirectionally in a steady voltage. The primary use of DC is to supply constant power to electrical devices and charge batteries. Examples: mobile phone batteries, flashlights, flat-screen television, and electric vehicles. DC combines a minus and a plus sign, a dotted line, or a straight line.

DC power is considered more consistent in terms of the voltage supply, meaning that most electronics work on it and use DC power sources like batteries. Electronic devices also convert AC from power outlets to DC by using a device called a rectifier, often built into a device's power supply. A transformer is also used to increase or lower the voltage to a specific level suitable for the device.

Application Of DC

DC power is extensively used in electrical appliances that use low voltages, such as charging batteries, automotive devices, aircraft and shipping applications, and other low voltage, low current applications. All solar panels nowadays produce DC power.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the need for two different power types?

Most of today's electronics and electrical devices use DC power because of its smooth flow and even voltage, But DC cannot travel long distances from power plants to buildings, but AC power can. It is also a lot more convenient to generate AC than DC.

2. Why can AC not be stored in batteries instead of DC?

It is crucial to understand that batteries are not made to store energy directly in them. The electrical power is stored in the form of chemical energy. The positive end of an AC source is connected to the positive side of the battery, and simultaneously the negative end of an AC source is connected to the battery's negative terminal. The current starts to flow from the negative terminal towards the positive end. But, as AC changes its polarity, there is no actual energy. This is because the negative half-cycle cancels out the positive half-cycle. If this process continues in the battery, it can damage the battery. Therefore, AC is not stored in batteries.

3. Who invented AC and DC?

Thomas Edison developed DC (direct current) that flows continually in a single direction, like in a fuel cell or a battery. The first alternator to produce alternating current was constructed by the French instrument maker Hippolyte Pixii in 1832.

4. What are the main advantages of AC over DC?

The advantages of alternating current over direct current are the following :

  • AC is more inexpensive and easy to generate than DC.

  • Unlike DC, AC is easily transmitted across long distances without much energy loss.

  • AC has the main advantage of stepping up and stepping down as per the requirement of the device.

5. Why do most Electronic Devices Work on DC, not AC?

The following are the reasons why most electronic devices work on DC: 

  1. The first important property of DC is that it does not change its polarity, which is very useful for DC circuits because some components in the electronic circuit do not work if the polarity changes continuously.

  2. Another critical property of DC is that it has a constant value, which means the voltage magnitude does not change with time. As the electronic circuit components need a continuous voltage, dc is required.

  3. In the case of AC, the voltage at a time goes to zero. This is a problem for electronic circuits because the AC naturally switches or goes ON and OFF continuously, which can hinder the functioning of electrical devices.

  4. There is no power factor in the case of DC. So it is an advantage of using DC.

  5. Using AC can create noise and oscillation in Audio Circuits and communication circuits.

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