The Differences between AC and direct current Are based on the type of voltage used for the conduction and transmission of electrical energy, the direction in which the current flows, and the amount of energy that can be transported and stored (Diffen, 2017).
In the case of direct current, its movement is rectilinear and unidirectional, on the other hand, in the case of alternating current, the energy flow can be seen as a sinusoid curve or wave pattern with an alternating motion.
This is because the alternating current changes over time in the form of repetitive oscillations, where the highest part of the curve indicates that the energy flow is flowing in the positive direction and that the lower part of the curve is moving in Negative sense This coming and going movement is the one that gives the alternating current its name.
One way of highlighting the use of the two types of current in everyday life might be by thinking about how we illuminate our environments.
If we want to turn on the lamp next to our bed to read a book at night, we will be using alternating current, since electricity has to flow over a vast distance and its wave-like movement causes the current to travel more Efficient (Earley, 2017).
If on the contrary we want to read with a discreet flashlight, we will be consuming direct current energy.
This is because in a conventional battery, composed of a negative and a positive pole, the energy only flows in one direction from one pole to another at a constant speed.
Fundamental differences between alternating current and direct current
The most significant differences between AC and direct current (DC) include the following:
Alternating current
The alternative current or AC is defined as the charge flow that changes direction periodically.
The result obtained would be an inversion in the voltage level along the current. Basically, CA is used to bring electrical energy to industries, homes, offices and buildings, among others (Shawnhymel, 2017).
CA Generation
The alternating current is produced using a device called an alternator. This device is designed to produce an alternating energy flow.
In this way, an electromagnetic field is generated, in which a wire spiral rotates and from this an induced electric current flows by changing the magnetic polarity periodically. In this way, the voltage is also constantly alternating in the wire.
Here the rotation of the wire can be generated by different means (a steam turbine, a stream of water, a wind turbine, among others).
Similarly, the generated energy stream can also take different forms, such as curve, square, or triangle.
In most cases, when using AC, it is preferred to use curved waves, since their generation is easier and calculations related to their propagation can be performed in a simple way.
CA Application
-The plugs of houses and offices use AC.
-The generation and transmission of energy over long distances is easier with CA.
-There is a lower loss of power throughout the power transmission when the voltages are high (110kV).
-To produce higher voltages a lower current of energy is needed, and for smaller currents of energy, less temperature is generated in the power line.
- With the help of transformers, the AC can be easily converted into high voltage energy to low voltage energy and vice versa.
-The AC is responsible for powering electric motors.
-It is useful for powering large appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, etc.
Direct current
The direct current or CD is the movement of large loaders of energy, in this sense, the movement of the electrons occurs in a unidirectional and linear way.
In the CD the intensity is the current varies over time, but the direction of the movement is always constant. CD is spoken of as the voltage whose polarity is never reversed (Khatri, 2015).
CD Generation
In a CD circuit, the electrons appear from the negative pole and move toward the positive pole. Some physicists define the CD if it always travels from less to more.
Generally, the basic source of the CD are batteries, electrochemicals and photovoltaic cells. Despite its importance and portability, CA remains the most commonly used in the world.
It is important to recognize that the AC can be converted to CD by carrying out multiple steps that consist of transforming the energy that comes from alternate sources into storable energy in direct current units.
A good example here would be the battery of a laptop, which takes AC power and transforms it into a CD that is then used in the battery of the device.
CD Application
Although AC is the favorite in the world to energize most of the spaces we inhabit (Agarwal, 2015).
The use of CD is fundamental for certain elements of our daily life to work. Some of these elements include the following:
-The electronic functions of the hardware of a computer.
-A wrist watch.
"A communicator radio."
-The tubes of a vacuum cleaner.
-Any portable electronic element.
Other Differences
Other differences between these two types of current include those shown in the following table:
References
- Agarwal, T. (2015). The ProCus . Retrieved from"What is the Difference Between AC and DC Currents: elprocus.com
- (2017). Diffen . Obtained from AC vs. DC (Alternating Current vs. Direct Current): diffen.com
- Earley, E. (2017). School Engineering . How to get to AC And DC?: engineering.mit.edu
- Khatri, I. (January 19, 2015). Quora . Retrieved from"What is the difference between AC and DC currents?: quora.com
- (2017). SparkFun Electronics . Obtained from Alternating Current (AC) vs. Direct Current (DC): learn.sparkfun.com.