Direct Current
The electric current which is produced in batteries and is static is known as direct electric current. The voltage in case of DC is produced and stored in batteries unless the circuit is completed. The main feature of direct current is that the current flows in one direction at a constant steady flow and voltage. The most common examples of carrying direct current are portable CD players, pocket radio, car batteries, battery lights and battery fans. DC circuits containing low voltage. The example of maximum direct current voltage is 12V which is a part of car battery. In some cases direct electric current is converted into alternating current for practical applications. The recent example of DC is solar cells. The solar cells also produce direct current when we use photovoltaic plates. This direct current is transformed to the alternating current for electrical appliances. DC circuit contains the constant voltages and current for this reason they are also known as constant polarity.
Alternating Current
The electricity which you use to power your houses is known as alternating current. The electricity voltage contained in alternating current is very high. The flow of alternating current is in the form of sine waves. The wave starts from zero and then it reaches to maximum level and it is decreased simultaneously. The alternating current is termed as AC because the electric charge moves forward and backward again and again. Besides sine wave form, alternating current can also use square and triangular wave forms. The power supply frequency is different in different countries but in most instances it is 60 HZ. The alternating current is moved away from the centre of the wire and carrier to outer surface of wire. This Is due to the skin effect. Skin effect is a process in which the acceleration of electric current is high which produces electromagnetic radiations that in turn revoke the propagation of electric charge to the centre of the conductive wire and hence it moves to the edge of the wire. The voltage of current contained in AC makes it available to power our houses, industrial units and almost all electric equipments.
Dissimilarities in AC and DC
The basic difference in two forms of electric current is that the flow of electric charge. The electric charge flows in same direction in a direct current while it moves backward and forward in alternating current. The application of DC current is limited because it can be distributed for electrical applications unless it is transformed in alternating current. However the alternating current can be carried and transferred to far off places. Another significant difference is the amount of energy contained in both forms of current. DC current is produced in batteries with single voltage and whose energy is very low. This low energy hampers its transfer to far off areas. While the energy contained in alternating current is more and the strength of the wave can be walloped to high and low wavelength to control energy with the help of transformers. The direct current is generated in batteries and cells when the positive and the negative terminals of the battery are connected. The voltage of the DC cannot be altered while the voltage contained in an alternating current is prone to distortion. The AC and Dc currents have their applications and scope, while it can be said here that AC was invented on the basis of DC.