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ALTERNATING CURRENT [AC]
AND
dIRECT CURRENT [DC]
DIRECT CURRENT
The unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by sources such as batteries, power supplies, thermocouples, solar cells, or dynamos. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through semiconductors, insulators, or even through a vacuum as in electron or ion beams. The electric current flows in a constant direction, distinguishing it from alternating current (AC). A term formerly used for this type of current was galvanic current
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ALTERNATING CURRENT
An electric current in which the flow of electric charge periodically reverses direction, whereas in direct current (DC, also dc), the flow of electric charge is only in one direction. AC is the form in which electric power is delivered to businesses and residences, and it is the form of electric power that consumers typically use when they plug kitchen appliances, televisions and electric lamps into a wall socket. A common example of DC power is a battery cell in a flashlight. The abbreviations AC and DC are often used to mean simply alternating and direct, as when they modify current or voltage.
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