Difference between Alternating Current and Direct Current
Difference between Alternating Current and Direct Current

Difference between Alternating Current and Direct Current

Current can be defined as movement of electrons. Current always flows from positive to negative terminal of the battery. The symbol used to represent current is I and the formula used to calculate current is Current=flow of charge (Q)/time (t) and the unit of current is Ampere. Types of current include Alternating Current and Direct Current.

Alternating Current

Type of current which inverse its direction intermittently is called alternating current. It belongs to the field of electromagnetism. Alternating current was invented Nikola Tesla. He is renowned for his discovery of Alternating Current. The current that is provided to our houses and factories is alternating current.

Direct Current

It is flow of charges in only one direction. It is invented by Thomas Edison in 19th span. It is used in charging batteries as well as it is produced by solar system used now days. Electric Appliances with Alternating current are preferred because they are available in low cost and are safe to use in comparison with Direct Current.

Alternating Current VS Direct Current

Transmission capacity:

Alternating current is used for long distance transmission because power loss is less that is why the electric current provided in our houses is Alternating current.

In direct current the loss of energy is high so it cannot be used for long distance transmission.

Rate of recurrence:

The frequency of Alternating current varies from country to country. But normally it ranges from 50 Hz to 60 Hz.

Frequency of Direct current is persistent.  And it shows no variation.

Variation in direction:

Alternating current changes its direction in inverse manner.

Direct Current streams in only one direction.

Transformation:

Alternating Current can be transformed to Direct current by using adopter.

Direct Current is transformed by using invertors.

Storage:

Alternating Current cannot be put in storing.

Direct Current can be stored.

Sources:

Alternating Current can be generated from Power houses and Alternating Generators.

Direct Current is obtained from batteries and cells.

Uses:

Alternating current is which is used in our houses in electric components that are refrigerators, Air conditions and Microwave oven.

Direct Current is used in mobile phones, cells and batteries.

Conclusion

Nowadays Alternating current is widely used in all over the world because it has many advantages over direct current. It is preferred where the current has to cover long distance because the loss of power is less in comparison with Direct current. There is one disadvantage of Alternating current that it cannot be stored in any form whereas Direct current can be stored.