ALTERNATING CURRENT

Communications Systems Glossary

Communications Systems — Alternating current

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Information on Alternating Current (AC)

When the voltage is supplied by a constant source such as a battery, the current supplied is constant and is called direct current (DC). When the voltage source varies in value with time (normally reversing its polarity sinusoidally), the current is alternating current (AC), which varies also varies sinusoidally with time. Power stations generate AC, which is distributed to homes and is available form the power socket. AC is measured in hertz (Hz) and the two main standards for power are 60 Hz in North and South America and Japan, and 50 Hz in Europe, South East Asia and Australasia.


Other topics in our resources on Communications Systems related to Alternating current include: 
 
  • direct current (DC)
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