Ramon C. Umipig Jr.

ASCT401E

Physics
1

3
4

DC (direct current) is the unidirectional flow or movement of electric charge carriers

(which are usually electrons). The intensity of the current can vary with time, but the
general direction of movement stays the same at all times. As an adjective, the term DC
is used in reference to voltage whose polarity never reverses.
AC (alternating current) occurs when charge carriers in a conductor or
semiconductor periodically reverse their direction of movement. Household utility
current in most countries is AC with a frequency of 60 hertz (60 complete cycles per
second), although in some countries it is 50 Hz. The radio-frequency (RF) current in
antennas and transmission lines is another example of AC.
Advantages of AC
- The generation of A.C. is cheaper than that of D.C.
- A.C. machines are simple, robust and do not require much attention for their
repairs and maintenance during their use.
- Wide range of voltages are obtained by the use of transformer.
- The magnitude of current can be reduced by using an inductance or a conductor
without any appreciable loss of energy
- A.C. can easily be converted into D.C. with the help of rectifiers.
- When A.C. is supplied at higher voltages in long distance transmission , the line
losses are small compared to a D.C. transmission
AC Generator - works on the principle of electromagnetic induction (motional emf).
In generator an induced emf is produced by rotating a coil in a magnetic field.
A transformer is an electrical device that transfers electrical energy between two or
more circuits through electromagnetic induction. Electromagnetic induction
produces an electromotive force across a conductor which is exposed to time
varying magnetic fields. Commonly, transformers are used to increase or decrease
the voltages of alternating current in electric power applications.
Step Up and Step Down. These two types are distinguished from each other by the
manner in which the primary and secondary coils are place around the steel core.
A transformer is based on a very simple fact about electricity: when a fluctuating electric
current flows through a wire, it generates a magnetic field (an invisible pattern
of magnetism) or "magnetic flux" all around it. The strength of the magnetism (which
has the rather technical name of magnetic flux density) is directly related to the size of
the electric current. So the bigger the current, the stronger the magnetic field. Now
there's another interesting fact about electricity too. When a magnetic field fluctuates
around a piece of wire, it generates an electric current in the wire.