Profile
Settings
Refer your friends
Sign out
A unidirectional flow of electric charge is known as a direct current. The most important example of DC is an electrochemical cell. Direct current has the flexibility to flow through conductors, mainly wires. This is how you explain direct current. They can also flow in insulators and semiconductors. They can even flow in vacuum-like ion beams or electrons.
The only difference between DC with alternating current(AC) is that it flows in only one direction. Galvanic current is the term used for this current. By use of a rectifier, direct current can be converted into alternating current which consists of electromechanical elements and electronic elements. We can say that a flashlight can be an example of a direct current. This process allows the current to flow unidirectionally. Direct current can also be converted into an alternating current through an inverter.
There are many uses of direct current. They are used in charging batteries of large power supplies. Smelting of aluminium is done by using large quantities of electric energy provided by DC, this is also an example of direct current. This method is also used in other electrochemical processes. Direct current is also useful in railways of urban areas. Transmission of large amounts of power by using high-voltage direct current.
Sources Of Direct Current
Many sources of direct current are very important and useful in our day to day life, some are listed below-
- Dry cell batteries
- Solar cells
- Commutators
- Chemical cells
- Dry cell
- C. generator
- Car battery, etc
Types Of The Direct Current Circuit
We have three types of direct current circuits, namely:
- Series DC circuit-when all the components are connected one by one in an end to end pathway it is known as a series DC circuit.
The sum of the total resistance is directly proportional to the individual of the total sum of the resistance. Only one switch is present in this series DC circuit, the entire system is controlled by this single switch.
- Parallel DC circuit-when more than one electrical component is attached parallelly is known as a parallel DC circuit.
The aggregate of the resistance’s reciprocal is equal to the total resistance reciprocal.
- Series and parallel DC circuit-Normally, electrical circuits are the combination of series and parallel circuits. These complex circuits are solved by using Ohm’s law.
Circuit Of A DC
The electrical circuit that consists of constant voltage sources of any combination, resistors and sources of constant current is known as a direct current circuit. This circuit’s currents and voltages are not dependent on time. On the past value of any current or circuit voltage, the particular current or circuit voltage does not depend. The integrals or derivatives respective of time are not included in the equation that implies a DC circuit.
When in A Direct current circuit an inductor or a capacitor is added, the circuit which is formed is not a DC circuit. But this condition has a solution. When the circuit is in a DC steady state the solution gives the currents and circuits voltages. A differential equation represents this kind of circuit.
Differences Between AC And DC
Features | Direct current | Alternating current |
Definition | It is a one-way flow of electric charge | It is a flow of current in the reverse direction as well as it constantly changes its direction. |
Efficiency | Efficiency is very less | Efficiency is more |
Power consumption | It consumes more power | It consumes less power |
Voltage | It provides a low voltage, therefore it is safe for any operations. | It provides a lot of voltage, therefore it is very risky and unsafe for any type of operation. |
Power factor | Its power factor is always 1 | Its power factor lies between 0 to 1 |
Frequency | Frequency is 0Hz | Frequency ranges from 50Hz to 60Hz |
Usability Of Direct Current
Direct currents are a widely used type of electric current, they are used in-
- Commercial buildings and domestic houses- DC are used in the houses for low voltage applications. And these are generally powered by solar systems and batteries. These applications generally include batteries, wall sockets and switches.
- Telecommunications- For this process, the equipment which is used is called telephone exchange communication which uses a standard -48V DC power.
- Automotive- Maximum of the automotive applications uses the direct current. It is a battery that helps in engine starting and lighting. An alternating current device known as an alternator for charging the battery produces direct current by using a rectifier.
- High-voltage power transmission- Direct current is being used by the high-voltage direct current electric power transmission system. By using the direct current it conducts bulky transmissions of electric powers. The HVDC system may be less expensive and can cause low electric mishaps for long-distance transmissions.
These are the uses of Direct current.
Conclusion
Direct current as we all know is a type of current that flows unidirectionally. A Direct current can flow in a circuit when the circuit is closed. But when the circuit is open the flow of current stops. A power source is required by a simple circuit where a certain amount of voltage is being supplied and also wires are needed to connect the components. The circuit is monitored by an open and close switching system. There is a potential difference when voltage is supplied in a Direct current circuit which causes the flowing of current. The supplied voltage is directly proportional to the current. This relation is defined by Ohm’s Law. Direct current is used for many aspects like telecommunications, automotive, domestic houses, etc for a budget-friendly and low voltage facility.
