Alternating Current (AC) vs. Direct Current (DC)

Contributors: Shawn Hymel

Resources and Going Further

You should now have a good understanding of the differences between AC and DC. AC is easier to transform between voltage levels, which makes high-voltage transmission more feasible. DC, on the other hand, is found in almost all electronics. You should know that the two do not mix very well, and you will need to transform AC to DC if you wish to plug in most electronics into a wall outlet. With this understanding, you should be ready to tackle some more complex circuitry and concepts, even if they contain AC.

Take a look at the following tutorials when you are ready to dive deeper into the world of electronics:

• Series and Parallel Circuits
• Logic Levels
• How to Use a Multimeter
• How to Power a Project

Interested in learning more foundational topics?

See our Engineering Essentials page for a full list of cornerstone topics surrounding electrical engineering.

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