What is the name for a pulse of current?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the terminology used to describe a single-polarity pulse of rising current, particularly in the context of electrical current classifications such as DC (direct current) and AC (alternating current). Participants explore the definitions and implications of these terms, as well as related concepts like current spikes and step functions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that a steady state electrical current is referred to as DC, while a periodic current is called AC, questioning what a single-polarity pulse should be classified as.
  • One participant mentions that an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is a relevant term in this context.
  • Another participant clarifies that DC refers to unidirectional current but not necessarily a constant value, and discusses the characteristics of AC as changing polarity.
  • A participant introduces the term "current spike" as a potential descriptor for the pulse in question.
  • There is a discussion about the Heaviside Function as a mathematical representation of a step function, with implications for understanding current pulses.
  • One participant cautions against using the term DC for anything other than unchanging current, suggesting that a varying positive current should be described as a combination of DC and AC, referred to as 'ripple'.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the appropriate terminology for a single-polarity pulse of current, with no consensus reached on a definitive term. There are competing definitions and interpretations of DC and AC, leading to ongoing debate.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for additional information such as rise time, duration, and repetition rate when discussing current pulses, indicating that these factors influence the classification and understanding of the pulse.

hogshead
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A steady state electrical current is called DC. A periodic rising and falling current is called AC. What is a single-polarity pulse of rising current ( a single rectified hump of a sine wave e.g.) called? AC? DC? or something else?
 
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hogshead said:
A steady state electrical current is called DC. A periodic rising and falling current is called AC. What is a single-polarity pulse of rising current ( a single rectified hump of a sine wave e.g.) called? AC? DC? or something else?

DC is a unidirectional current (or voltage) but not necessarily a constant one.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_current

An AC current or voltage is not a rising and falling one. It is one which changes polarity from positive to negative to positive and so on.

A pulse which does not change polarity but changes amplitude is just a DC pulse. However this needs to be supplemented with information about rise time, duration, fall time, repetition rate etc.
 
Current spike.

Claude
 
A step function is often called a Heaviside Function.

DC means, strictly, an unchanging value of current. Unidirectional current may be referred to as DC but it is sloppy terminology and leads to confusion. If you want to avoid confusion then don't refer to anything other than DC as DC. (despite what may be written in wiki or elsewhere) A current that is always positive but has a varying value is a combination of DC and AC ('ripple'). If you state it that way then there can be no confusion.
 

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