al·ter·nat·ing current (ôl t r-n  t ng,  l-)n. Abbr. AC An electric current that reverses direction in a circuit at regular intervals. |
alternating current
n
(Engineering / Electrical Engineering) a continuous electric current that periodically reverses direction, usually sinusoidally Abbreviation AC Compare direct current
| alternating current (ôltr-ntng) An electric current that repeatedly changes its direction or strength, usually at a certain frequency or range of frequencies. The term is also used to describe alternating voltages. Power stations generate alternating current because it is easy to raise and lower the voltage of such current using transformers; thus the voltage can be raised very high for transmission (high voltages lose less power as heat than do low voltages), and lowered to safe levels for domestic and industrial use. In North America, the frequency of alternation of the direction of flow is 60 Hz, or 60 cycles per second. In other parts of the world it is 50 Hz. Compare direct current. See Notes at currentTesla, Nikola |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  alternating current - an electric current that reverses direction sinusoidally; "In the US most household current is AC at 60 cycles per second"electrical energy, electricity - energy made available by the flow of electric charge through a conductor; "they built a car that runs on electricity" direct current, direct electric current, DC - an electric current that flows in one direction steadily |
Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|