Difference Between Alternating Current and Direct Current

You might not be aware that there are two different types of current that we use on our daily life activities. 

They are the Alternating and Direct Current. Alternating Current are commonly used in high-powered equipment. 

The current on those Electric Poles are also in terms of an Alternating Current. Direct Currents are commonly used in smaller devices such as your Mobile Phone, Laptop, iPod and etc...

Students studying under the field of Electronics or Hobbyist are already aware that currents can be converted from one form into another. 

This can be done through a simple circuit called "Converter" and "Inverter". The circuit composes of a Transformer responsible for the conversion of the currents.

DC or Direct Currents

DC is the simple type of current similar to the electrical power generated by the batteries, natural static occurrences and lighting. 

It can be stored in various methods and consumed by the circuit through operation. The flow of current goes in one direction starting from the positive towards the negative. 

The use of this type of current are applied on low powered devices.

AC or Alternating Currents

AC currents are a lot more complicated to explain unlike the DC where the current travels in a single direction. 

Alternating Current doesn't have a constant voltage where it runs through a sinusoidal wave pattern. 

It behaves by starting from the Zero level then increases to the maximum value and goes down to the minimum level before starting back again from the zero. 

Moreover, this is the type of electricity that you are using to power-up those appliances in your own homes.

Computing for the value of the AC signal requires you to determine the RMS (Root Mean Square) Average of the Voltage. In general, it is the same electrical value in terms of DC current. 

So if one of your appliances provides the voltage specification then it is in terms of the RMS although some are not but has to be clearly specified in another term of unit. 

In western countries, they commonly use AC Voltages that ranges around 100 to 115 AC Volts. Some East or Asian countries makes use of 200 to 220 AC Volts.

Most questions that may arise is that, "Why does the main source of electricity has to be in the form of an Alternating Current?".

The answer to this question is because AC Voltages are a lot easier to convert from one level into another. 

This can be done through the use of a Transformer, an electronic component made out of winded coils. 

This will allow any equipment to reduce energy loss which is completely beneficial for everybody to use.