Course Name : AC Circuit Circuit II Course Code
:1201
Sonargaon University (SU) ,Dhaka
Text Book Name:
Alternating Current Circuit : George F Corcoran/ Introductory
Circuit Analysis :: Robert Boyle Stat
What is called circuit?
In electronics, a circuit is a complete circular path that electricity flows through. A simple circuit
consists of a current source, conductors and a load. The term circuit can be used in a general
sense to refer to any fixed path that electricity, data or a signal can travel through.
What is circuit definition and types?
An electric circuit provides an entire, closed path for electricity. The parts of a circuit contain a
load or resistance; wires; and a switch. The source of energy can be a battery, thermocouple,
photocell, or an electric generator. The load is a part of the circuit that uses the facility.
Alternating current (AC) is an electric current which periodically reverses
direction and changes its magnitude continuously with time in contrast to direct
current (DC), which flows only in one direction. Alternating current changes its
direction at a periodic interval. AC Wave shape given below
Where is Alternative Current Used?
Alternating current is used in large electric circuits and high power electric
motors. Electricity in our homes falls into the category of alternating currents. The
refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher, air conditioner, and ventilator work
directly with alternating current. Devices such as televisions, stereos, and videos
use these alternating currents by turning them to the right flux.
Why AC is used than DC?
AC is much easier (therefore cheaper) to step up and down in voltage (using a
transformer) than DC, and can be done more efficiently than the much more expensive
and complex DC step-up/step-down systems. That is why AC is used for power
transmission.
What is advantage of AC over DC?
Advantages of alternating current (AC) over direct current (DC) : (1) : AC is easy and
cheaper to generate than DC. (2) : AC can be transferred to long distance as compared
to DC. (3) : Power loss in AC is less as compared to DC during transmission. (4 ) : AC
can be easily converted into DC. AC is much easier (therefore cheaper) to step up and
down in voltage (using a transformer) than DC, and can be done more efficiently than the much
more expensive and complex DC step-up/step-down systems. That is why AC is used for power
transmission.
Why AC is stronger than DC?
While, the direct current or DC current is the current which has a magnitude and flows in
one direction only. AC current is said to be more dangerous than DC current
because the root mean squared value of AC is much more than its original value. Also,
the AC current can have a direct impact on our heart.
Why AC is used in home?
The Peak current value of AC is more than DC. Most of our household appliances are
inductive type. For these appliances if we use DC current then they will not work
properly, that is why we use AC current for homes, offices, etc.
Alternating Current (AC) It is the current which varies in both magnitude as well as direction
alternatively and periodically. Instantaneous value of AC
I = I0 sin ωt or I = I0 cosωt where, I0 = peak value or maximum value of AC.
2. Effective Value or rms Value of AC It is defined as the value of AC over a complete cycle
which would generate same amount of heat in a given resistors that is generated by steady
current in the same resistor and in the same time during a complete cycle.
The 70.7% of peak value of current gives effective or rms value of AC.
3. Average or Mean Value of AC It is defined as the value of AC which would send same
amount of charge through a circuit in half-cycle that is sent by steady current in the same time.
The 63.7% of peak value of AC gives average or mean value of AC.
NOTE: In a complete cycle of AC, the mean value of AC will be zero.
4. Alternating emf or Voltage It is the emf which varies in both magnitude as well as direction
alternatively and periodically. The instantaneous alternating emf is given by
Both AC voltage and AC current are represented by diagrams as shown below
In the AC waveform expression, A (t) = A sin (2πƒt), A (t) is the function which
varies with respect to the time. In general the AC waveform will be as shown
below. Generally we will represent AC waveform by Sinusoidal waveform and its
mathematical formulae is
A (t) = A sin (2πƒt)
Where ,
A is Amplitude of signal t is the time period f is the frequency of signal
Amplitude The maximum value of current or voltage is known as “Amplitude”.
This is represented by either the positive peak or negative peak value of the sine
wave. This maximum voltage level is also said to be the peak voltage.
Time Period
The time taken to complete one full cycle is known as “Time period”. It is denoted
as ‘T’. The time period can be calculated, starting from any point on the AC sine
wave. No matter where we start measuring the time period, it is the matter of
completing one full cycle.
Frequency
The frequency of a wave form is the reciprocal of its time period. It can also be
explained as “The number of times that sine wave cycle occurs in a second”.
Frequency is measured in HERTZ, by the name of a German scientist Henrich
Hertz, who proved the existence of electromagnetic waves.
It is represented by the letter ‘f’
Frequency can be measured by the below given formula.
Frequency = 1 / Time Period.
The average value is defined as the average of all the instantaneous
values of an alternating quantity such as current or voltage over one
complete cycle. RMS value (root mean square) is the square root of
means of squares of instantaneous values. The RMS value can be
evaluated by either graphical or analytical method.
AC Circuit Formula
Average Value of Current = IAV = 0.637 IM
Average Value of Voltage = EAV = 0.637 EM
IRMS = 0.707 x IM , ERMS = 0.707 EM