ALTERNATING CURRENT

Magnetic field
produced in an
electric coil
We all need electric power, which is
generated in power plants or generators.
Power plants and generators
produce alternating current.
Current generated in power
plants and generators is
delivered to users by means
of connecting cable. Loss of energy over long distances
Power is lost during transmission.
HOW CAN THE LOSS OF POWER BE
MINIMISED?
Power plants and generators produce current
with a high emf. End users need current with
a lower emf. How do powerplants work?

HOW DO WE REDUCE THE EMF OF

THE CURRENT?
 ALTERNATING CURRENT
Nuclear power plant

The frequency of alternating current in South

Africa is 50Hz. DC vs AC

The current has a constant potential

difference of 220V. The actual potential
difference varies between 0V and 311V.
This has the same effect
as a constant value
of 220V.
Vmax = Vequiv x √2
One cycle of alternating current.
a.c. graph

AC graph
 1/100 s
DC vs AC

1/50 s

The current fluctuates with time, in step with

the fluctuating potential difference.
Imax = Iequiv x √2
 P = I2R
Pmax = 2Pequiv

This relationship is illustrated in the graph

shown on previous slide.
Power is a scalar quantity and so all values
are represented as positive
Simple AC circuits click here
 Equations for AC circuits:
In view of the fact that both AC voltage and current is
continually fluctuating between a minimum and a
maximum, we use these equations to find the
respective values.
I max Vmax P  I V  I Vmax
 and Vrms 
1
I rms ave rms rms 2 max
2 2

The rms (root mean square) value of a set of values

(or a waveform) is the square root of the arithmetic
mean (average) of the squares of the original
values.
RMS
 What are you expected to know?

• Why alternating current is used for our

mains electricity in South Africa.
• How is energy loss in transmission cables
minimised?
• How is the potential difference of the
current varied?