I'm not looking for "because it won't work"... already know that. Just wondering about the science behind it. What are the 12 volts of electrons doing in ac that won't allow dc thingys to run on it, and vice versa?
2006-07-30 14:25:28 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Consumer Electronics ➔ Other - Electronics
DC takes a direct current, or a steady level of voltage. AC is alternating current, a current in this case that goes from +12 volts to -12 volts and back again in that cycle. So technically by using AC on a DC device you are only getting the required +12 Volts once every cycle. In a 60Hz system that would be once every 1/60th of a second.
2006-07-30 14:33:37 · answer #1 · answered by AFBuckeye 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although both are 12V, in DC one wire is always + and the other wire is always -. A battery is a common example.
In AC, the wires change 60 times a second, +/-/+/-... The two wires are always opposite.
AC is easy to generate and is easily applied to motors. AC can be trun through transformers to change the voltage, which is a substantial advantage.
It is not terribly difficult to turn AC into (sloppy) DC. There is a device made with a few diodes called a diode bridge. A few more components,
and the sloppy DC can be quite well behaved.
Turning DC into AC again is much more complicated, involving motor/generators or swithching power supplies.
Anyway an appliance designed for AC will in general not work well on DC, and vice versa, although there are exceptions. Things without electric motors or transistors tend to work with either AC or DC. Old fashioned (dumb) toasters, light bulbs, and old tube radios come to mind.
2006-07-30 21:43:28 · answer #2 · answered by Computer Guy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
12 volts AC is alternating current. The current swings from positive through zero to negative and back again in a constantly changing amplitude. The changing level doesn't work for a lot of electronics. Plus, this causes other issues with what is called impedance. The AC reacts differently to components than DC does.
12 volts DC is a steady, level current. It does not change in amplitude. Transistors and integrated circuits are designed to run on DC.
2006-07-30 21:37:07 · answer #3 · answered by wires 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Electricity on a DC current only runs in one direction (from positive to negative). AC current runs in both directions, essentially "pushing" and "pulling" the electrical current about 60 times per second (60Hz). Plugging a DC device into an AC current would be damaged for this reason.
2006-07-30 21:33:24 · answer #4 · answered by Rob 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best answer is In AC voltage we get 50Hz frequence But in DC voltage frequence is 0Hz
2- In AC alternating current is there & In DC smooth current is there therefour your appliance is not work.
2006-07-31 07:00:49 · answer #5 · answered by Ram 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
AC means alternating current. Thats what the voltage is doing... it's going through positive AND negative voltage ranges.
DC means direct current and it's either positive OR negative, not both.
So hooking up an improper power supply will more than likely ruin your equipment.
2006-07-30 21:28:59 · answer #6 · answered by J.D. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋