Average Value

Electricity is present all around us. In the appliances we use, in the homes we live in, and in the vehicles, we drive. Hence, it is important that we understand its basics so as to better understand the world we live in. 

Electricity flows in the form of electric currents through wires. The current has different forms and various features that need to be understood. Today, we will look at a very crucial concept, i.e., the introduction to the average value of current. It is a concept used for representing the value of the alternating current which is constantly changing.

Types of Current

Electric current flows through circuits in two different forms—namely, direct current and alternating current.

Due to a voltage gap between two points, a direct current flows at a fixed value in a particular direction. The voltage gap is maintained as long as we desire the current to flow through the wires.

Alternating current flows in the form of repeated highs and lows with a periodic pattern. The direction of flow of current changes multiple times in a second, and the magnitude of current changes continuously. The current is produced with the help of rotating magnets.

Why Calculate Average Value?

If we consider calculations, the value of direct current is simply the magnitude of the current that is flowing through the circuit.

In the case of alternating current, things may not be as simple. This is because the magnitude of the alternating current keeps on changing continuously. Hence, we have no way to carry out calculations that are dependent on the magnitude of the current flowing. 

We cannot use the maximum value of the current because it can give out wrong answers at points of time when the current is not maximum. Therefore, there is a need for a way to quantify the value of the alternating current in a circuit.

Characteristics of Alternating Current

Before we dive deep into understanding average value and how it is calculated, we need to learn about the various characteristics of alternating current and what they represent.

Cycles

A cycle is one repetition of the sine wave in the graph of the current. It involves one full 360 degrees rotation of the alternating current motor. 

A cycle comprises of starting from zero, going to the highest peak, coming back to zero, reaching the lowest trough, and then rising back to zero. The integral of one cycle comes out to be zero because of both positive and negative values, which are equal in magnitude.

Amplitude

Amplitude is the maximum value of current that is reached in every cycle. It is represented by the length of the peak in a graphical representation of the current. The amplitude can be measured by the upper peak and the lower peak too.

The lower peak does not mean that the value of current is in the negatives. It just means that the current is flowing in the opposite direction.

Time Period

The time period of an alternating current is the time taken for the current to complete one cycle. It is denoted by T.

The time period is the same throughout the current and can be calculated for any two consecutive peaks or troughs.

Understanding Average Value

The Average Value gives us a way to measure the value of an alternating current. This includes all the times when the current fluctuates in a high and low periodic pattern. The average value of an alternating current is the aggregate integral of the current flowing in a cycle, divided by the time period of the cycle. 

Since the alternating current is a periodic formula, the integral of the time period would give us the answer to be a big zero. Hence, a workaround for this problem has been thought of too.

Rather than finding the average score of a full cycle, it would be beneficial to the finder to calculate the average value for half of the cycle. Hence, adding the current of half a cycle and dividing it with the time period of half a cycle also gives us the average value.

Conclusion

Now that you know what the average value of current is, its application, and its value, you can easily get an idea of the more complicated topics related to electric current. 

There are many such topics that are very interesting to know about, and even more, fun to learn about. A few examples are the root mean square value, the effect of alternating current on electrical devices, and the magnetic effects of current.

Electricity is a very broad topic with numerous wonders within it. The possibilities of the subject are all unknown and almost limitless. The average value is the first step in a journey through one of the most beautiful concepts of nature and the world around us.