Types of Current

The movement of charged particles within a conducting medium is generally referred to as current. The term “charged particles” in relation to electricity primarily refers to electrons. The conducting material’s atoms have free electrons that can travel from one atom to another. The electrons move in a random manner. Alternating and direct current are the two main forms of current. In alternating current, the current’s direction is reversed, whereas in direct current, electrons flow in one direction. In batteries, you can find direct current. In a battery, the electron always moves from the negative side to the positive side. Alternating current, on the other hand, can be used in televisions, kitchen appliances, etc.

What is Current?

The current simply refers to the flow of some entity in a specific area. For instance, it can be argued that an air current is flowing if air is blowing in that location. According to Fukasawa (2021), the movement of electrons, which represent electric charge, from one location to another is what generates electrical energy in the case of electricity. Electric current is a specific phenomenon. Current play a significant role in daily life.

Types of Current

We are aware that the term “current” refers to the movement of electrons. Direct Current (DC) and Alternating Current (AC) are the two major forms of current. While alternating current travels in two directions, direct current only flows in one. Alternating power is provided to our homes and the nearby utilities. Batteries and home electronics both use DC currents. There are several different current types that are employed in daily life. Various current varieties are listed in the section after this.

AC vs DC current

Various Types of Current

• Direct Current (DC)
• Alternating Current (AC)
• Steady Current
• Varying Current
• Instantaneous Current

Direct Current (DC)

In general, direct current (DC) travels in a straight line. Direct current is created via battery circuits. because in batteries, the passage of electrical electrons from anode to cathode can only go in a single way. As DC current flows in the same direction, its frequency stays zero. To control the large power supplies that are needed to control various electronic systems, including electric cars, motors, and other devices, direct current is employed to charge the batteries.

 The following basic ideas and formulas relating to DC circuits and electrical components must be understood:

Ohm’s Law for DC Circuits:

Ohm’s Law is fundamental in DC circuits and relates voltage (V), current (I), and resistance (R):

V = I * R

Where:

V is the voltage in volts (V). I is the current in amperes (A). R is the resistance in ohms (Ω).

Power in a DC Circuit

The power (P) in a DC circuit can be calculated using the formula:

P = V * I

Where: P is the power in watts (W). V is the voltage in volts (V). I is the current in amperes (A).

Electrical Energy

Electrical energy (E) consumed or delivered by a DC circuit can be calculated using the formula:

E = P * t

Where: E is the electrical energy in watt-hours (Wh) or joules (J). P is the power in watts (W). t is the time in hours (h).

Alternating Current (AC)

Alternating current(AC) denotes the flow of the electric charge, which periodically reverses. AC mostly starts from zero then increases to the maximum and again decreases to zero. It reaches the maximum in opposite direction from zero to maximum then again reduces to zero. The particular graph of alternating current is similar to a wave due to its simultaneous growth in both directions It is due to the Alternating current, which is produced by applying various devices which are further known as alternators. However, different methods can be used in the production of AC by using many circuits.

Alternating current (AC) circuits use time-varying voltages and currents that change direction on a regular basis. Several key mathematics and concepts are utilized to evaluate and comprehend AC circuits:

Instantaneous Voltage and Current

In an AC circuit, voltage and current change over time. They can be represented as functions of time:

For voltage (V(t)): V(t) = Vm * sin(ωt + φ)

For current (I(t)): I(t) = Im * sin(ωt + φ)

Where:

V(t) and I(t) are the instantaneous voltage and current at time t.

Vm and Im are the peak voltage and current amplitudes.

ω (omega) is the angular frequency (2πf).

φ (phi) is the phase angle, which represents the phase relationship between voltage and current.

Root Mean Square (RMS) Values

To describe the effective or equivalent DC value of an AC signal, the RMS value is used:

Vrms = Vm / √2

Irms = Im / √2

These values are useful for calculating power in AC circuits.

AC Power

AC power is calculated using the RMS values of voltage and current:

P = Vrms * Irms * cos(φ)

Where:

P is the real power in watts (W).

Vrms and Irms are the RMS voltage and current.

φ is the phase angle between voltage and current, and cos(φ) is the power factor.

Steady Current

In this case, the current’s strength is not affected by time. These currents circulate in an unbroken loop. A straight line will result from the fluctuations if current and time are graphed together.

Varying Current

A current is referred to as changing when its magnitude fluctuates over time. Here, the direction of the stream is constant, but the magnitude varies with respect to time.

Instantaneous Current

It made reference to the value of current at a specific time. It is distinguished by two types. current that charges and discharges. Here, the flow rate changes over time. Small amounts of time, like a millisecond, are taken into account.

Difference between Alternating Current & Direct Current

AC (Alternating Current)	DC (Direct Current)
AC is characterized by the continuous and periodic change in the direction of electric charge flow.	DC flows in one direction, from a positive terminal to a negative terminal.
The electric charge in an alternating current circuit switches direction, often in a sinusoidal (wave-like) fashion.	It maintains a constant voltage level over time, which can be achieved using batteries or rectifiers that convert AC to DC.
Because it can be easily changed to different voltage levels using transformers, alternating current (AC) is the type of electricity provided to homes and businesses, making long-distance transmission more efficient.	Because many electronic components require a constant voltage source, direct current (DC) is extensively utilized in electronic devices such as laptops, smartphones, and most portable gadgets.

FAQs on Types of Current

1. Why the Copper wires used mostly as connecting wires?

For the flow of electrons the copper wires are used as connecting wires because they offer low resistivity.

2. What is ampere?

Ampere is the unit of electric current which is equal to the flow of one coulomb/second.

3. Which unit is used for electric conductivity?

Siemens/meter or mho/meter used for electric conductivity.

4. Which is called as reciprocal of conductance?

Resistance is called as reciprocal of conductance.