Home Learning Center Articles What is AC Power and DC Power?

AC Power versus DC Power

What Is AC Power?

AC stands for alternating current, which is an electrical current that frequently reverses direction. AC electricity is measured according to its cycles, with one complete cycle being counted each time a given current travels in one direction and then doubles back on itself. An electrical current is able to complete many cycles per second, and is then given its frequency rating based on that number; for example, the typical frequency in North America is 60 hertz (Hz), which indicates that the current is performing 60 cycles per second. AC power is the type of electricity most commonly used in homes and offices, and is extremely versatile because its voltage can be changed through a transformer to suit a variety of transmission needs.

What Is DC Power?

DC is the abbreviation for direct current, which is a type of electrical current that travels through a circuit in only one direction. Direct current is the type of electrical power that is produced by fuel cells, batteries, and generators equipped with commutators. While DC power was the first type of electricity to be commercially transmitted, it has been widely replaced by alternating current (AC) electricity, and is now used primarily in electrochemical and metal-plating applications.

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