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DC Voltage AC Voltage: Microvolts Millivolts Kilovolts

The document explains the difference between DC (direct current) and AC (alternating current) voltage sources, detailing their characteristics and measurement in volts. It highlights the common voltage levels for household AC electricity in the UK and USA, as well as the typical DC voltage ranges for electronic circuits. Additionally, it describes the relationship between voltage and electrical pressure, emphasizing the importance of voltage in a circuit and its role in current flow.

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ABHISHEK CHAKRABORTY
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5 views2 pages

DC Voltage AC Voltage: Microvolts Millivolts Kilovolts

The document explains the difference between DC (direct current) and AC (alternating current) voltage sources, detailing their characteristics and measurement in volts. It highlights the common voltage levels for household AC electricity in the UK and USA, as well as the typical DC voltage ranges for electronic circuits. Additionally, it describes the relationship between voltage and electrical pressure, emphasizing the importance of voltage in a circuit and its role in current flow.

Uploaded by

ABHISHEK CHAKRABORTY
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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A voltage source that is unchanging and constant over time is

called a DC Voltage. While a voltage source that varies


periodically in amplitude over time is called an AC voltage.
Whether an AC or DC supply, voltage is measured in volts, with
one volt being defined as the electrical pressure required to force
an electrical current of one ampere through a resistance of one
Ohm.
While voltages are generally expressed in Volts, prefixes are used
to denote sub-multiples of the voltage present, such
as microvolts (μV = 10-6V), millivolts (mV = 10-3V) or kilovolts (kV
= 103V), etc. Note that voltage can be either positive or negative
in amplitude.
Batteries, power supplies or solar cells produce a D.C. (direct
current) voltage source of a fixed value and polarity. For example,
5v, 12v, -9v, etc. A.C. (alternating current) voltage sources on the
other hand such as those available for homes, offices and
industrial applications have a value relating to the power they
supply.
The voltage and frequency of mains alternating current (AC)
electricity used in homes is typically 230 volts AC (230V) in the
United kingdom and 110 volts AC (110V) in the USA.
General electronic circuits operate on low voltage DC battery
supplies of between 1.5V and 24V dc The circuit symbol for a
constant voltage source usually given as a battery symbol with a
positive, + and negative, – sign indicating the direction of the
polarity. The circuit symbol for an alternating voltage source is a
circle with a sine wave inside.

Voltage Symbols

A simple relationship can be made between a tank of water and a


voltage supply. The higher the water tank above the outlet the
greater the pressure of the water as more energy is released, the
higher the voltage the greater the potential energy as more
electrons are released.
Voltage is always measured as the difference between any two
points in a circuit and the voltage between these two points is
generally referred to as the “Voltage drop“. Note that voltage
can exist across a circuit without current, but current cannot exist
without voltage and as such any voltage source whether DC or AC
likes an open or semi-open circuit condition but hates any short
circuit condition as this can destroy it.

Electrical Current

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