Introduction

DC QUANTITY: A dc quantity is one which has a constant magnitude irrespective of time. Uses: Electroplating, charging of batteries, electric traction, refining of copper. An alternating voltage is any voltage that varies in both magnitude and polarity wrt time. An alternating current is any current that varies in both magnitude and direction wrt time.

Introduction of AC
AC circuit means that, electrons do not flow in one direction. They move forward and back constantly. As a result of this changing motion of the electrons voltage of the system is also not constant. AC circuits show sinusoidal graphs as given below. Most of the electrical devices in our homes work with alternating current, TV, washing machines, hair drier etc. You can convert AC to DC with transformer which decreases the amount of voltage, and you can use diodes in your circuits.

Advantages of alternating current over direct current: AC generators have no commutator and can thus be built in very large units to run at high speeds producing high voltage. Alternating current can be stepped up and down efficiently by means of a static machine called transformer, which makes the transmission and distribution of electrical energy economical. While in case of direct current the use of transformer is not possible. AC motors are cheaper in cost, simpler in construction, more efficient and robust than dc motors. The high transmission efficiency in ac system makes the generation of electrical energy economical by generating in large quantities in a single station and distributing over a large territory.

Types of AC Waveform

Generation of voltage and current

 An alternating voltage (emf) can be generated by:

1. By rotating a coil within a stationary magnetic field as shown in fig 1. 2. By rotating magnetic field at a constant angular velocity within a stationary coil as shown in fig 2. The value of the voltage generated depends, in each case upon the number of turns in the coil, strength of the field and the speed at which the coil or magnetic field rotates. Alternating voltage may be generated in either of the two ways shown in fig, rotating field method is the one which is mostly used in practice .

Generation of Alternating Voltage

Generation of Alternating emf.

So the emf generated varies as the sine function of the time angle t. This emf is plotted against time angle t, a curve of sine wave is obtained as shown in fig. Such an emf is called sinusoidal emf. The sine curve is completed when the coil rotates through an angle of 2 radians. The induced emf e will have maximum value, represented by Em, when the coil has turned through 90 degree in counter clockwise direction.

Sinusoidal function terminology.

1. Waveform: The shape of the curve obtained by plotting the instantaneous values of the alternating quantity. 2. Alternation: A complete set of positive and negative values plotted as ordinates against time or time angle is known as alternation. One alternation is equal to half cycle. 3.Instantaneous Value: The value of the alternating quantity at a given instant of time is defined as instantaneous value. It varies from instant to instant. These values are denoted as smaller case letters. In case of sinusoidal waveform, they are equal to the product of the maximum value and the sine of the angle corresponding to a given instant.

 4. Amplitude: The maximum value (positive or negative) attained by an alternating quantity in one cycle is called its amplitude or peak value or crest value. 5. Cycle: When an alternating quantity goes through a complete set of positive and negative values ,it is said to have completed one cycle. Thus one complete set of positive and negative values of an alternating quantity is known as cycle. 6. Time Period (T) The time taken to complete one cycle by alternating quantity is called its time period or periodic time. It is equal to the reciprocal of frequency. 7. Frequency: (f) The number of cycles completed by an alternating quantity per second is called frequency of the alternating quantity. Its unit is Hz. In India, the frequency of ac system is 50Hz. In USA and some other countries, 60Hz frequency is used.

Average and R.M.S Values of sinusoidal

These notes relate primarily to cyclic variations of a variable. The principles also apply to variables which are constantly changing over time. Two methods of quantifying a representive value are available : "The Average Value" and "The Root Mean Square Value."

The Average Value The average value of the current or the voltage is the one which provides a useful practical measure of its magnitude. It is equal to the sum of all instantaneous values divided by the number of values taken over that interval. Average value = Area under the curve length of the base of the curve

Root mean square

The Rms value is defined as that value of DC which when flowing through a given circuit for a given time produces the same heating effect as produced by the alternating current when flowing through the same circuit for the same time. For a sinusoidal current The RMS value for the current (I) I = 0,707.Im

1) Average value for a sinusoidal variable Consider a Sinusoidal current i

= Im sin over a half Cycle...

2) Root Mean Square value for a sinusoidal variable Consider a Sinusoidal current i = Im sin

 Form Factor
The form factor for a sin wave is defined as the R.M.S value /Average value.

Peak Value
The peak or crest value of a sine wave is defined as the maximum value /the R.M.S value

 Phasor Diagram of a Sinusoidal Waveform

Phasor Diagram of a Sinusoidal Waveform

Phasor addition of two vectors

In the rectangular form, the phasor is divided up into a real part, x and an imaginary part, y forming the generalised expression Z = x jy. ( we will discuss this in more detail in the next tutorial ). This then gives us a mathematical expression that represents both the magnitude and the phase of the sinusoidal voltage as:

So the addition of two vectors, A and B using the previous generalised expression is as follows:

AC Series and Parallel Circuit

Components of an electrical circuit or electronic circuit can be connected in many different ways. The two simplest of these are called series and parallel and occur very frequently. Components connected in series are connected along a single path, so the same current flows through all of the components. Components connected in parallel are connected so the same voltage is applied to each component. A circuit composed solely of components connected in series is known as a series circuit; likewise, one connected completely in parallel is known as a parallel circuit. In a series circuit, the current through each of the components is the same, and the voltage across the circuit is the sum of the voltages across each component.. In a parallel circuit, the voltage across each of the components is the same, and the total current is the sum of the currents through each component..

A series circuit with a voltage source(such as a battery) and 3 resistors

Parallel Circuit
If two or more components are connected in parallel they have the same potential difference (voltage) across their ends. The potential differences across the components are the same in magnitude, and they also have identical polarities. The same voltage is applicable to all circuit components connected in parallel. The total current is the sum of the currents through the individual components, in accordance with Kirchhoffs current law.