Battery Recharge In An AC Circuit

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the process of recharging a battery in an AC circuit, specifically in the context of electric cars. Participants explore how alternating current (AC) is converted to direct current (DC) for battery charging, and the mechanisms involved in this conversion.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how a battery can be charged using AC, noting that the induced current in the second coil would also be AC.
  • Another participant states that battery chargers use diodes to convert AC to DC.
  • A different participant elaborates that while the induced current is AC, it cannot charge batteries directly, and explains the use of a diode rectifier followed by capacitors to create a pure DC output.
  • One participant points out that electric cars utilize switched-inductor boost/buck converters for energy management instead of simple diodes, suggesting this method is more efficient for charging batteries.
  • A participant expresses gratitude for the clarification regarding the use of diodes in the context of electric cars, acknowledging a misunderstanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing views regarding the methods used for rectifying AC to DC in electric car battery charging. There is no consensus on the specific technologies employed, with some advocating for diode rectifiers and others for more complex converters.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the limitations of using AC directly for battery charging and the need for conversion methods, but do not resolve the technical details of the various approaches mentioned.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in electric vehicle technology, battery charging methods, and the principles of AC to DC conversion may find this discussion relevant.

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Hello everyone. This should be a fairly simple question to answer because I should really already know. Anyway, I was just wondering how exactly a battery is recharged in an AC circuit. In particular, I was looking at an electric car's rechargable battery. I know when you plug the car in the alternating current in the first coil causes magnetic flux thus causing an induced current in the other coil. However, isn't this second current also alternating? And if so, how is an alternating current used to charge a battery. Thank you for your time.
 
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Battery chargers use diodes to convert the AC to DC.
 
The induced current in the other coil would also be AC, and you can't charge batteries with AC as it would look like a short. So we follow the AC with a diode rectifier that removes from AC the negative alternating component, then it is filtered with capacitors to give you a pure DC.
 
Last edited:
Just a little nit-picking: electric cars do not use simple diodes for rectification. Instead, they use switched-inductor boost/buck converters to store energy in or release energy from the battery pack, which is DC. Same concept as a diode rectifier, but much more efficient and much easier to build.

- Warren
 
Thank you much. I had actually suspected a diode, but I wasn't completely sure. And it turns out I was wrong, when it comes to electric cars at least. Again, thank you for the information.
 

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