A brief introduction of alternating current

A life without electricity is simply a life unimaginable. The application of electric current ranges in the form of bulbs, fans and in the present life in the computer, air conditions, phone charging – simply put, the list of the use of electric current in our day to day life is exhaustive.

In the long way of the progression of electricity, till now when we are offered modern and updated electronics courses to learn the advance levels of the subject, a brief peep into the fundamentals of electric current will nothing but strengthen further the existence where such a pivotal aspect of our daily necessity is grounded.

Look back at the History of Alternating Current:

We all know perhaps that electricity is not invented, rather it exists in nature in the form of energy. Benjamin franklins dangerous kite experiment proved that lightning is electricity. Thomas Edison invented D.C. current. Example of DC current can be found in regular batteries. The second and perhaps the most important type of electricity is AC or Alternating Current.

This AC is invented by Nicolas Tesla, after stressing the inefficiencies of DC power houses of Thomas Alva Edison.

What do you mean by AC?

The current that periodically reverses direction, is called Alternating Current. The polarity of the voltage is reversed periodically in an irregular current source. Therefore the direction of the current is reversed occasionally. And this is the reason that the name of the current is the indicator that power is periodically alternating.

In this current, the charged particles move from 0 to the maximum value in one direction and fall to zero and goes for another round in the opposite direction with the same values??(negative). The values??processed by a discontinuous current in both directions are equal in all cases.

It has both the magnitude and direction and varies with time. AC will flow in both positive and negative directions, and therefore, it is bi-directional. Generally AC wave form is represented by the sinusoidal waveform and its mathematical formula is:

A (t) = A sin (2?ƒt)

Where,

A is magnitude of signal

t is the time period

f is the frequency of signal

AC power generation:

These types of current generating devices are called alternators. The AC may be generated by numerous methods and using many circuits. The simplest method to generate this current is using basic single Coil AC Generator.

Operating principle:

An AC generator operates on the principle of Faraday's electromagnetic induction to convert mechanical energy such that rotation into electrical energy.

Advantages of Ac over Dc:

Electrical energy is generated and used is AC because it offers so many advantages DC. The few are listed below:

• At high voltages AC can be generated, but DC cannot be generated at high voltages because sparking begins at high voltage switch, because of which the switch is damaged.
• These current generators of greater voltage are much simpler and cheaper than DC generators within the same range. It is because in the AC generators, it is the switch which is expensive part and is damaged.
• Without losing the AC can be converted to DC using rectifiers and can limit the amplitude of the AC with an inductor or a conductor at a considerable loss.
• Motors AC induction are the simplest in construction, cheaper cost and require less maintenance than DC motors are complicated.

The first engineers realized that very high voltage is necessary for the efficient transmission of power. From then on the revolution of AC has been augmented in a faster pace and soon won over the direct current.

Eshika Roy is a newbie in London and is a valuable asset to the online electronics video tutorial who contributes occasional academic articles to various business magazines and student blogs.