Name : Hadrian Anwar

NIM : 221321010

Class : 1A-TLI
Describe about Alternating Current and Direct Current and explain the differences?

Alternating Current

Alternating Current is the type of electric current whose magnitude changes continuously and direction
changes periodically is known as alternating current or AC. In practice, the alternating current is produced by
alternating voltage source such as alternator or AC generator, etc.

The waveform of alternating current (AC) is shown in Figure, In case of AC, the total amount of time
taken by a waveform of alternating current to itself is known as time period of the AC waveform. The rate at
which the waveform repeats itself, i.e. the number of cycle complete in one second, is known as frequency of
the AC waveform.

Direct Current
Direct Current is the type of electric current whose magnitude does not change with the time and flows
only in one direction (i.e. has unidirectional flow) is known as direct current or DC. Therefore, DC has a
constant magnitude and direction. Consequently, the frequency of DC is zero.

he waveform of the DC is shown in Figure. The DC is widely used in electronic device such as
computers, mobiles, laptops, toys, etc. The DC is obtained from battery, cell, DC generators and rectifiers (by
converting AC into DC).

Difference between AC and DC

Parameter Alternating Current
Definition The type of electric current
in whose magnitude changes
continuously and direction
changes periodically is
known as alternating current
(AC).
Direction of flow of charge In case of alternating
(electrons) current, the flow of electrons
is bidirectional, i.e. electrons
flow in both forward and
backward direction.
Types Alternating current may be
Direct Current
The types of electric current
whose magnitude and
direction does not change
with time is known as direct
current (DC).
In case of direct current,
flow of electrons takes place
in only forward direction.
Thus, the flow of electrons
is unidirectiona
Generally, the direct current
 of various types based on
the waveform such as
sinusoidal, triangular,
square, trapezoidal, etc.
Frequency AC has a specific frequency.
In practice, the frequency of
AC is 50 Hz or 60 Hz.
Magnitude The magnitude of
alternating current changes
continuously.
Direct of current & polarity The alternating current
flows in both directions
(forward and reverse), thus
polarity cannot be
mentioned in the circuit.
Types of loads For alternating current, there
are three types of loads, i.e.
resistive load, inductive load
and capacitive load.
Opposition to current The opposition to flow of
flow alternating current offered
by the circuit is called
impedance.
Source AC is obtained from AC
generators or alternators.
Transmission AC can be transmitted over
long distances with a few
losses.
Use of Transformer With AC, a transformer can
be used for increasing and
decreasing the voltage
levels.
Power factor Power factor of a circuit
with AC lies between 0 and
1.
Applications AC is used to operate
domestic & commercial
appliances like fan, light,
fridge, etc. and industrial
loads like induction motors,
etc.
is of two types: constant DC
and pulsating DC.
The frequency of DC is
zero.
The direct current has a
constant magnitude, i.e. it
does not change with time.
The direct current always
flows from positive to
negative. Hence, polarity
marking is possible in case
of DC.
DC load includes only
resistive load.
For DC, the opposition
offered by the circuit is
termed as resistance.
The sources of DC are DC
generators, battery, solar
cell, etc.
The transmission of DC is
more efficient than AC and
it can be transmitted over
long distances with
negligible losses.
With DC, transformer does
not work.
The power factor of circuit
with DC always remains
unity, i.e. 1.
DC is used in laptops,
mobiles, electronics devices,
toys, industrial processes
like electrolysis, etc.