Scribd
Upload
2 views

Alternating Current Definitions

Uploaded by

whosnain
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2 views

Alternating Current Definitions

Uploaded by

whosnain
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Alternating Current

Definitions

1. Alternating Current (AC)

An electric current that reverses direction periodically, as opposed to direct current (DC), which flows in
one direction only. The voltage (or potential difference) also alternates.

2. Peak Current (I₀)

The maximum value of current in an AC circuit, occurring at the point where the current changes
direction.

3. RMS (Root Mean Square) Current (Iᵣ ₛ)

The effective value of an alternating current, which produces the same power as a corresponding direct
current. It is given by:

4. Peak Voltage (V₀)

The maximum value of voltage in an AC circuit, occurring at the points where the voltage reverses its
direction.

5. RMS Voltage (Vᵣ ₛ)

The effective value of an alternating voltage, which produces the same power as a corresponding direct
voltage. It is given by:

6. Frequency (f)

The number of cycles of an AC signal that occur per second. The SI unit of frequency is the hertz (Hz).

7. Period (T)

The time taken for one complete cycle of an alternating current or voltage. It is the reciprocal of
frequency:

8. Angular Frequency (ω)

The rate of change of the phase of the sinusoidal wave.

9. Phase Difference

The difference in phase between two alternating quantities, usually expressed in radians or degrees. It
indicates how much one waveform is shifted relative to another.
10. Impedance (Z)

The total opposition to current in an AC circuit, combining both resistance and reactance. It is a complex
quantity:

11. Reactance (X)

The opposition to current flow in an AC circuit due to inductance or capacitance. It is measured in ohms
and can be either inductive or capacitive:

12. Resonance

Occurs in an RLC circuit (resistor, inductor, and capacitor) when the inductive reactance equals the
capacitive reactance, leading to maximum current. At resonance, the impedance of the circuit is
minimized.

13. Power in AC Circuit

The rate at which electrical energy is converted to another form of energy.

14. Power Factor

The ratio of real power (P) to apparent power (S) in an AC circuit. It is also the cosine of the phase angle
\phi :

A power factor of 1 indicates a purely resistive circuit.

15. Inductive Reactance (Xₗ)

The opposition to current flow in an inductor in an AC circuit.

16. Capacitive Reactance (Xᶜ)

The opposition to current flow in a capacitor in an AC circuit.

You might also like