Alternate Current/Direct Current?

[FeDeX_LaTeX]

Hello;

What is alternate current and direct current? (AC and DC)

Thanks.

 

[Janus]

With direct current, the polarity remains the same. In other words the current always flows in one direction.

With alternating current, the polarity alternates. In other words the direction of current flow alternates between flowing one direction and the other. With typical house current this happens at 60 cycles per second in the U.S.

 

[FeDeX_LaTeX]

Thanks!