AC vs DC -Parameters,Generation and Uses

Hey friends,

As we have discussed on what is electricity it is high time to discuss on its major stake holder which is AC and DC current.

Battle starts between AC and DC way back in times of its innovation where Nikola Tesla the founder of AC current promoted AC and Thomas Alva Edison promoted DC.

Nikola Tesla

Thomas Alva Edison

AC-Alternating Current Vs DC-Direct Current

Electricity can be transmitted or electricity flows in two ways that is either by alternating current or by direct current.

As discussed earlier in the article What is electricity? Electricity is generated by the movement of electrons.

In DC current the electrons flow in one particular direction that is direct and the current flows in the opposite direction.

But in AC the electrons flow forward and backward simultaneously and thereby the current flow backward and forward simultaneously.

Parameters of AC and DC

Frequency

AC-Has a frequency normally it is 50Hz or 60Hz

DC-Does not have a frequency because it is a direct current.

Direction

AC-Move forward and Backwards based on the frequency.

DC-Moves in one particular direction.

Current and Voltage

AC-Both the parameters Varies with time.

DC-Constant throughout the course of time if losses are neglevted.

Passive Parameters

AC-Impedance

DC-Resistance only

Power Factor.

AC-Varies between 0 and 1.

DC-Only 1.

Waveforms.

AC-Sinusoidal, Trapezoidal, Triangular, Square.

DC-Straight, Pulsating.

Generation of AC and DC current.

AC current is mainly generated by an AC generator. As a basic level definition, the conductor rotating in a magnetic field is mounted and thereby AC wave form is generated.

The generation of DC is the same but here the commutators are used serving as a mechanical rectifier to convert the alternating current from the winding to unidirectional direct current in the external load circuit.

Even though there is AC and DC both of these two forms can be transferred.

An AC current can be converted to DC using a converter or a rectifier and an DC current can be converted to AC by the use of a inverter.

Today most of the generating plants of the world are AC generating sources that is because the output is generally AC and when transmitting AC can be transferred to longer places very cheaper than that of DC, but today transmission through DC is also studies (HVDC transmission).

Even though most of the home equipment are AC, significant amount of electronics needs DC current that is a fixed voltage and current to operate for these types of equipment there are built in converters or rectifiers to do so.

What are your thoughts on AC and DC? What is the best? Discussion is open for thoughts.