Types of Electric Current | What is Electric Current? Definition, Unit

Types of Electric Current – Learn what is electric current and types, symbol. Electric current is of two types – AC and DC

There are 2 types of Electric Current – AC (Alternating Current and DC (Direct Current.

Electrical current is the flow of charged particles. It is similar to flow of water molecules in a river. AC and DC are ways of flow of current an electrical circuit.Electric charge or current can flow only in one direction (DC) or in the charge can change direction periodically (AC).

While AC Current is good for transmission over long distance, DC current is good for digital electronics.

So, Electric current is of two types:

Direct Current (DC)
Alternative Current (AC)

Types of Electric Current

Direct Current: (DC)

In this type of electric current, direction is always same. The electric current generated from a cell or battery is DC. Due to the same direction of Direct Current, its frequency is ZERO. In DC Current one end is Positive (+) and the other end is Negative (-).

DC Symbol - Direct Current Symbol
DC Current Symbol

Alternative Current (AC)

Electrical current whose direction and value keeps changing is known as Alternating Current (AC). The value of AC current in one direction increases from ZERO to Maximum and fall down to ZERO and then in opposite direction it increases from ZERO to Maximum again and come back to ZERO. Due to this increase in both directions, the graph of AC looks like a Wave. This is called sine wave. In Alternate Current or AC, 50 such cycles or waves come in ONE Second. One side of AC is PHASE and the other side is NEUTRAL.

Alternate Current Symbol - AC Symbol
AC Current Symbol