alternating current direct current
1Alternating current — (green curve). The horizontal axis measures time; the vertical, current or voltage. In alternating current (AC, also ac) the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current (DC, also dc), the flow of electric charge …
2Alternating current — Al ter*nat ing cur rent (Elec.) A current which periodically changes or reverses its direction of flow, especially an electric current that reverses direction sinusoidally, as is used for most domestic and industrial power requirements.… …
3alternating current — ► NOUN ▪ an electric current that reverses its direction many times a second. Compare with DIRECT CURRENT(Cf. ↑direct current) …
4Alternating Current Field Measurement — (ACFM) is an electromagnetic technique for detection and sizing of surface breaking cracks. It works on all metals and, not requiring direct, electrical contact, works through coatings.The system was originally developed in the early 1990 for the …
5alternating current — n. an electric current that reverses its direction periodically: abbrev. AC: cf. DIRECT CURRENT …
6alternating current — n [U] AC a flow of electricity that changes direction regularly and quickly →↑direct current …
7alternating current — noun an electric current that reverses direction sinusoidally In the US most household current is AC at 60 cycles per second • Syn: ↑AC, ↑alternating electric current • Ant: ↑direct current • Hypernyms: ↑electricity, ↑ …
8alternating current — Synonyms and related words: AC, DC, absorption current, active current, conduction current, convection current, cycle, delta current, dielectric displacement current, direct current, displacement current, eddy current, electric current, electric… …
9alternating current (AC) — Flow of electric charge that reverses periodically, unlike direct current. It starts from zero, grows to a maximum, decreases to zero, reverses, reaches a maximum in the opposite direction, returns again to zero, and repeats the cycle… …
10alternating current — an electric current that reverses direction at regular intervals, having a magnitude that varies continuously in sinusoidal manner. Abbr.: ac Cf. direct current. [1830 40] * * * ▪ electronics abbreviation AC flow of electric charge that… …
