What is Direct Current ?

Most of the digital electronics that you build will use DC. However, it is important to understand some AC concepts. Most homes are wired for AC,

In direct current (DC), the electric charge (current) only flows in one direction.

so if you plan to connect your Tardis music box project to an outlet, you will need to convert AC to DC. AC also has some useful properties

As an adjective, the term DC is used in reference to voltage whose polarity never reverses.

Electric charge in alternating current (AC), on the other hand, changes direction periodically.

such as being able to convert voltage levels with a single component (a transformer), which is why AC was chosen as the primary means to transmit electricity over long distances

The voltage in AC circuits also periodically reverses because the current changes direction.

Alternating current describes the flow of charge that changes direction periodically. As a result, the voltage level also reverses along with the current. AC is used to deliver power to houses, office buildings, etc.

In a DC circuit, electrons emerge from the negative, or minus, pole and move towards the positive, or plus, pole.

AC can be produced using a device called an alternator. This device is a special type of electrical generator designed to produce alternating current.

A loop of wire is spun inside of a magnetic field,

Nevertheless, physicists define DC as traveling from plus to minus

Alternating current describes the flow of charge that changes direction periodically. As a result, the voltage level also reverses along with the current. AC is used to deliver power to houses, office buildings, etc.

In a DC circuit, electrons emerge from the negative, or minus, pole and move towards the positive, or plus, pole. Nevertheless, physicists define DC as traveling from plus to minus.

Direct current is produced by electrochemical and photovoltaic cells and batteries

which induces a current along the wire. The rotation of the wire can come from any number of means: a wind turbine

DC (direct current) is the unidirectional flow or movement of electric charge carriers (which are usually electrons).

a steam turbine, flowing water, and so on. Because the wire spins and enters a different magnetic polarity periodically

AC can be produced using a device called an alternator. This device is a special type of electrical generator designed to produce alternating current.

the voltage and current alternates on the wire. Here is a short animation showing this principle:

Current is a flow of electrical charge carriers

. In contrast, the electricity available from utility mains in most countries is AC (alternating current).

To generate AC in a set of water pipes, we connect a mechanical crank to a piston that moves water in the pipes back and forth (our “alternating” current).

Utility AC can be converted to DC by means of a power supply consisting of a transformer, a rectifier (which prevents the flow of current from reversing), and a filter (which eliminates current pulsations in the output of the rectifier).

. Notice that the pinched section of pipe still provides resistance to the flow of water regardless of the direction of flow.

usually electrons or electron-deficient atoms.