AC CIRCUITS Flashcards
(78 cards)
How do electrons behave in AC circuits?
Electrons alternate between pushing and pulling, so they move in one direction and then reverse, which gives the illusion that the electrons are flowing randomly through a circuit
Type of motion of AC electricity
Periodic motion, similar to that of a pendulum
Why AC currents are preferred?
It is easier and cheaper to generate alternation current then direct current since its voltage can be readily altered using transformers.
It’s much more difficult to alter DC to AC voltages
Rectifiers
Devices used to convert AC into DC
Transformer
An electric device that is used to change voltage in AC electric circuits.
Composition of a simple transformer
Consists of two inductive coils, labelled as primary winding and secondary winding.In essence these are two sets of wires wrapped around it for the input and output voltages.
Period/Periodic time
The time taken for an alternating quantity to complete one cycle.
Frequency
The number of cycles completed in one second
Instantaneous values
Values of the alternating quantities at any instant of time.
Peak value
The largest value reached in a half cycle
Peak to peak (Vpp)
The difference between the maximum and minimum values of a cycle
Average value over a complete cycle
Zero
Effective or root mean square (RMS) value of an alternating current (AC) is defined as what?
The current which will produce the same effect as an equivalent direct current (DC)
Form factor
RMS value/average value
Peak Factor
maximum value/RMS value
Why is insulation used
To prevent ‘leakage’
What parameter is considered when choosing insulation materials?
The peak values
Fuses
Are the weak link in a circuit and are used to break the circuit if excessive current is drawn
Parameter used when calculating appropriate fuse size
RMS value
Basic properties of passive components in ac circuits
Resistance, Inductance and Capacitance
Factors to be considered in Ac circuits
-The phase relationship between voltage and current.
-The opposition to current flow in the circuit
-Is the oppositio to the curret flow affected by the frequecy of the supply?
Pure resistance only circuit
-Current and voltage are in phase with each other
Relation of frequency and R
R is independent of frequency
Phase shift
Current and and voltage are out of step with each other