AC vs DC

What is Alternating Current?

• Flow of charge that changes direction periodically.
• Voltage level also reverses along with the current.

What is Direct current?

• Flow of charge is unidirectional and stays same all the time.
• The polarity of voltage does not change or reverses.

AC vs DC:

Comparision AC vs DC	Alternating Current (AC).	Direct Current (DC).
Source Symbol
Wave forms
Transferring energy	Best to transfer over long distances with less loss of energy.	Voltage of DC cannot travel very far and starts to lose energy.
Ease of transmission	Can be transmitted with high voltages and voltage can be varied using transformers.	Can't be transmitted across long distances.
Flow of Electrons	forward and reverse.	Flows in one direction.
Frequency	Between 50Hz to 60Hz.	0 frequency.
Direction	Energy constantly changes direction.	Electricity flows in one direction.
Current	It is the current of magnitude varying with time.	It is the current of constant magnitude.
Possible wave forms	Sinusoidal, Trapezoidal, Triangular, Square.	Pure and pulsating.
Cost of production, maintainance and transmission.	Cheaper than DC.	Costlier than AC.
Source	AC Generator and power plants.	Batteries, solar panels.
Uses	Primary source of power supply in houses, commercial complex, offices etc.	Used to run most electronic devices. The primary source ac is converted to dc.