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AC Circuit Vs DC Circuit – What is the Difference

Between these Circuits?

Alternating current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) are the two main types of
electricity. Also, these two circuits show the structure of circuit systems.

Inductors, resistors, and capacitors are the primary components of AC circuits. These
are all passive electrical components. They have got one common property which is
that they all restrict the flow of electric current in a circuit coil. However, they do this
in different ways. Our main focus in this article is AC Circuit Vs DC Circuit.

What is an AC Circuit?

Alternating Current Circuit is a type of circuit in which an alternating source powers.

This alternating source could be voltage or current. Also, an alternating current or
voltage is a type that the amount of current or voltage changes about a distinct mean
value.

The voltage and current source has a phase angle in an alternating current. Dividing
the resistance by the impedance helps you calculate source voltage and current. Also,
the phase angle has a good effect on the average power the RLC circuit is provided
with.

Therefore, one can define an alternating current (AC) as a type of electrical current
that alters its value with time and reverses direction. It is different from a direct
current (DC), which only travels in one direction.

The sinusoidal voltage and current have been integrated in power businesses and
homes for some years of electric power. The AC circuit is the type of circuit that uses
alternating source. Also, the AC serves a wide range of domestic and industrial
purposes. The direction and magnitude of the voltages and current in an AC circuit
has no constant value.

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Different Terms Integrated in AC Circuits

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Alternating Current vs. Direct Current

Different terms are frequently integrated in AC circuits. These terms include wave
form, cycle, alternation, frequency, amplitude, time period, and instantaneous value.

Wave Form

Plotting (I) of an alternating quantity along the Y-axis and the angle or time along the
X-axis generated a shape. The shape obtained due to this occurrence is what is
referred to as Wave form. (I) here refers to instantaneous value.

Cycle

One complete cycle occurs when an alternating quantity completes negative and
positive values completes or when the values go through 360 degrees electrical.

Amplitude

Amplitude refers to the highest negative or positive value an alternating quantity

obtains in a complete cycle. It could be also referred to as maximum value or peak
value. Vm and Im represent the amplitude of voltage and current respectively.

Alternation

Alternation refers to one-half of a cycle. Also, its span is of 180o electrical.

Frequency

This is simply the number of cycles an alternating quantity makes per second.
Frequency is usually measured in hertz (Hz) or cycle per second (c/s). Also, it is
denoted by (f).

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Time Period

Time period is the time it takes a voltage or a current to complete one cycle. Time
period is usually measured per second and it is denoted by T.

Instantaneous Value

Instantaneous value refers to the value of current or voltage at any instant of time. I or
e represents instantaneous value.

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AC Circuit Types

AC circuits are available in different types. There are AC circuits having only
capacitance (C), only inductance (L), only resistance (R). Some AC circuits combine
RC, while some combine LC and some have the combination of the three which is
RLC.

RLC AC Circuit

The RLC AC circuit has the combination of resistance, inductance, and

capacitance. It is a type of AC circuit that features a capacitor C, a resistor R, and
an inductor L attached in a parallel or series.

The instantaneous voltage over the resistor (R) works in line with the instantaneous
current while the instantaneous voltage across the capacitor (C) is behind the
instantaneous current. The instantaneous voltage over the inductor (L) drives the
instantaneous current.

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In an AC Circuit, each voltage can’t sum up. This is because the voltages over the
different components are not in phase.

Resistive (R ) AC Circuit

Resistors are electrical components that set, regulate, or impede the movement of
current in a definite path. Resistance is the impedance of Resistors. Also, Ohms Ω
represents the resistive value of a resistor.

Resistor Inductor (RL) AC Circuit

The RL circuit comprises three different components which are an inductor, a resistor,
and an AC generator. The inductor coil generates a back EMF when you activate a
circuit switch in an RL AC circuit. Also, it takes the current some time to get to its
peak value. The inductive time constant is also known as the time constant.

Applications of AC Circuit

Alternating current (AC) are widely used in distributing power. One of the main
advantages of AC is that you can easily covert it to other voltages. This can be
achieved with a simple transformer.

The are lower losses if power is distributed at a high voltage. For example, a 250
volt supply that carries a Ω wire resistance and 14 amps. The power carried is like
1000 watts since watts = volts x amps. Therefore, power loss is calculated as I2 x R =
16 watts.

Therefore, power transmission requires high voltages and these voltages are reduced
to a safe level for use within domestic properties. AC is also widely used in supply
system. The alternating current is commonly used motors and other items without
conversion to direct current.

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What is DC Circuit?

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The direct current (DC) circuit is a type of electrical circuit that comprises resistive
loads (resistors) and current sources. Also, the DC circuit doesn’t work with time, so,
it is independent of time. A circuit is a Direct current circuit if it doesn’t need any past
value of its current and voltage.

Since it doesn’t require any past value of its voltage or current, it doesn’t integrate any
complex calculation that comprises transient period. Also, a circuit can be referred to
as a DC circuit if powered by DC sources like DC power supply or battery.

Direct current is the propagation of electric charge in an unidirectional way. This

current is widely integrated in solar cells and batteries. Also, the DC current was
invented by Tomas Edison. This current helped to power a good number of complex
electrical systems.

The direct current only flows in just one direction. For instance, a battery provides
direct current in a circuit that lights a bulb with a battery.

Applications of DC Circuit

Direct Current circuit is available in applications that have low and extremely low
voltage, particularly for solar cells and batteries. Also, the majority

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of electronic devices need DC power supply and DC voltage. It is important to

consider the polarity of DC when using DC devices. Otherwise, you will break it.

It is advisable to connect the appropriate polarity even if your DC devices feature

a diode bridge element. DC voltage is widely integrated in the automotive sector. For
instance, electric vehicles are making use of DC voltage. These vehicles use
batteries. Also, DC voltage systems are commonly used in diesel engines in heavy
duty machines, heavy trucks and machines.

The telecommunication technology isn’t also left out. This technology makes use of
DC power supplies. Also, this power supply is useful when there is a disruption
during operation as it plays a significant role in maintaining the connection lines for
subscribers.

High voltage power transmission integrates DC electricity since the losses by HVDC
are cheaper and lower in long distance transmission.

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Common Applications of DC Circuits

Batteries

Non-rechargeable and re-chargeable batteries supply DC. Also, the rechargeable

batteries use direct current to recharge themselves.

Electronic equipment

Electronic equipment such as computers, televisions, and radios among others

integrate direct current to power their circuits. Integrated circuits need direct current
to power them. These circuits will get damaged if there is a supply of reverse polarity.
Although a good number of these items is powered by Alternating current.

Some electrical equipment

Some pieces of electrical equipment integrate alternating current. However, there are
some that integrate direct current.

Solar panels

Solar panels generate direct current from the solar panels themselves. These panels
generate electricity. When these panels are used with AC mains to supply into the
mains for AC supplies, an inverter is needed to enable the conversion of the DC from
the solar panels to AC.

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AC Circuit vs DC Circuit

There can be a decision based on which current to use in several areas. It is important
to know the difference between AC Circuit vs DC Circuit. Also, you should know the
form of supply ideal for a particular application.

AC Circuit vs DC Circuit has their benefits and limitations. However, this means you
can choose the best option for any particular use or application. Generally, Alternating
current (AC) is ideal for use in power distribution. This is the reason the main sockets
in offices and homes supply an alternating current. This current powers anything you
plug in the main sockets. However, direct current is commonly integrated for printed
circuit boards and for many other applications.

Both AC Circuit vs DC Circuit are both widely integrated across electronic and
electrical industries, with each providing distinct benefits and ideal for use in different
applications. Also, both currents can offer electrical power transfer. However, they do
this with slightly different benefits.

Alternating current and direct current are different in terms of power transmission,
power generation, and power distribution. However, the main difference between the
direct current and alternating is the direction of the flow of electricity. This also
serves as the foundation of their diverse characteristics. Furthermore, there is
continuous flow of electrons forward or in a particular direction in Direct current.

This is not the case in the AC system. Here, there is exchange in the direction of
electrons movement in periodic intervals. Also, this alternating current (AC) makes

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the voltage value alternate as the value changes along from negative to positive based
on the current.

The magnitude of AC varies with time while the magnitude of DC is constant. AC

source includes all forms of AC mains and AC generators. DC source include
batteries.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is DC stored in batteries?

You should understand that batteries don’t directly store the energy in them. Batteries
are designed to store electrical energy in chemical energy form. In this case, the AC
source’s positive terminal connects to the battery’s positive terminal and the AC
source’s negative terminal is connects to the battery’s negative terminal. When all
these happen, the current begins to flow. However, there is a change in the polarity
and there is no supply of the energy. This occurs because the negative half cycle is
cancelled out by the negative half cycle. The battery can become damaged if this
process persists. Therefore, AC is not stored in batteries.

What are the advantages of AC over DC?

AC has some benefits over DC. One of the advantages of AC over DC is that AC is
less costly. Also, it is very easy to generate AC. You can transmit AC across long
distances without experiencing much loss of energy. On the other hand DC is very
expensive and it experiences energy loss during transmission. Furthermore, DC is
more expensive.

Why is AC voltage preferred over DC voltage?

In most cases, AC voltage is usually preferred to DC voltage. This is because

transmission in AC voltages produces less loss of energy. On the other hand, DC
voltages experience much loss of energy during transmission. Since AC voltages
result in less energy loss, it makes it easy to install when transformers are far
away. Furthermore, AC voltage can step up and step down according to requirement.
This is an added advantage.

Conclusion

Both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) are both widely integrated
across electronic and electrical industries, with each providing distinct benefits and

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ideal for use in different applications. Also, both currents can offer electrical power
transfer. However, they do this with slightly different benefits.

Alternating current and direct current are different in terms of power transmission,
power generation, and power distribution. However, the main difference between the
direct current and alternating is the direction of the flow of electricity.

Related Posts:

1. How Does Automotive Alternator Work?

2. What Are the Rules of a Parallel Circuit?

3. What is a Series Circuit?

4. What are Sculptured Flex Circuits?

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