Applications of Alternating Current
AC current/circuits find a great application in today’s world as:
- Power Distribution: Sine AC is well suited for long distance transmission, it is the primary form of electricity used for power distribution in homes, businesses, and industries.
- Electric Motors: Most electric motors, from those in industrial machinery to those in household appliances, run on AC power.
- Assistance in Medical Field: A wide range of medical equipment, including diagnostic devices and life support systems, operate on AC power.
- Modern Communication System: AC power supplies various components of communication networks and equipment.
- High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Transmission: AC is sometimes converted to high-voltage DC for long-distance transmission, and then reconverted to AC for distribution at its destination.
Working Principles of Alternating Current Generator
Do you ever wonder what kind of current flows in the power lines of our household? Is it the same current that is generated in electronic devices with DC battery supply or is it something different? In this article, we will discuss a different current that alternates i.e. varies in magnitude and direction. This type of current is called alternating current.
Alternating current is generally seen flowing in power lines(telephone cables, office lines) and normal household electricity that comes from a wall outlet. It is basically used for industrial, chemical, and domestic power usage where it is transmitted over a long distance. The most common frequency for AC power in many parts of the world is 50 or 60 hertz (Hz), meaning the direction of the current changes 50 or 60 times per second. On the contrary, we have DC current which flows in one direction and doesn’t change polarity.
In this article, we will see all the terminologies related to AC current, the method used for generating AC current, and the difference between AC and DC current. We will also discuss the phasors and the application of AC currents. The later part of this article will talk about AC circuit analysis.