and where are they used at home, like in what kind of appliances, or materials.
2006-09-21 03:46:09 · 11 answers · asked by Seungyong W 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
AC is alternating current and DC is direct current. Most houses are wired with AC.
2006-09-21 03:48:22 · answer #1 · answered by Angela D 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
AC is "alternating current," because the current level rises and falls at a regulated pace, usually 60 Hz in the USA. DC is "direct current," which is current delivered at a constant rate. Electrical outlets are almost always AC. When an applicance has one of those big, bulky plugs with a little box attached to the prongs, that's a DC converter, which converts the AC into DC that the appliance uses. So picture any appliance with that feature on the cord, and you've got a DC appliance. My electric razor charger and my cell phone charger come to mind, because it's always difficult to find a place to plug them in at hotels where the DC converter will actually fit.
2006-09-21 03:50:24 · answer #2 · answered by DavidK93 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The biggest difference is that AC is alternating current, and DC is direct current. One alternates direction, the other is direct.
In the your home, anything that you plug into a wall outlet is running on AC (kinda) anything with batteries is running on DC.
Everyone plugs a stereo or computer into a wall socket, but the device runs on DC power. This is done with an induction-coil power supply...The AC feed "induces" some DC current due to the arrangement of the coils and the swithching of the AC phase.
2006-09-21 03:57:40 · answer #3 · answered by Professor 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Few points others missed.
Batteries are DC
Home power is AC
Electricity started with DC. Transformers will not work with DC. So It was not possible to distribute power over long distances. The AC was found and the transformers appeared. SO the power was transformed to long distances at a very high voltage like half million volts. And this is reduced to 110 Volts when supplied to the houses.
In automobiles DC is used. Reason being saving electricity to a battery is main reason.
Even though we supply AC to computers and all electronic gadgetes like computers, home theater, gamesdvd player etc they convert them to DC and only DC is used inseide the circuits.
There are gadgets which converts form one to the other. Rectifiers will convert AC to DC
Inverters will convert from DC to AC
For further Read more
2006-09-21 04:02:09 · answer #4 · answered by Dr M 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Ac is a alternating current where DC is a direct current
In AC a mutual tinduction ocuur but in DC it is not
2006-09-21 04:01:53 · answer #5 · answered by Ravi Pathak 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Alternating Current (AC) changes the direction it flows many times a second. Direct Current (DC) flows the same way all the time. Transformers and fluorescent light ballasts require AC to work. Incandescent lights and toasters work find with either kind of electricity.
2006-09-21 03:54:25 · answer #6 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Alternating current is like a wave, in your house for example is AC. DC Direct Current is one direction...like a battery. So everything in your house (receptacles,lights) is AC. Though say your..cell phone charger is AC to DC....which makes it go from AC current to DC to charge your battery.
2006-09-21 03:49:40 · answer #7 · answered by John Q 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. AC current travels in one direction the reverses and travels in the other direction through the conductor. This allows it to travel long distances without being "lost" to resistance. DC travels in just one direction and the resistance limits the distance it can be usefully transported over wires. Your home is mostly AC, your car is mostly DC.
2006-09-21 03:57:19 · answer #8 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
alternating kinda works by shaking back and forth. dc works by moving in a specific direction
2006-09-21 10:56:20 · answer #9 · answered by hondacobra 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More home work...alternating current vs direct current...
2006-09-21 03:49:57 · answer #10 · answered by fairly smart 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋