DC is an abbreviation of Direct Current. DC (Direct Current) is a single-direction flowing electric charge from one point to another, through a conducting material such as electric wire. DC electricity is a continuous flow of electrons. The term earlier used for Direct Current is Galvanic Current.
Origin of DC electricity:
A magnetic field near an electric wire leads to flow of electron in a single direction along the wire, because they are repelled by the negative side of the magnet and attracted toward the positive side. This is how DC power from a battery has originated. It is result of Thomas Edison’s work.
Some of the examples of DC electricity producing sources are solar batteries, cells, dynamos and thermocouples. The DC can be obtained from the AC (Alternating Current) supply by using current-switching arrangement called a rectifier. A rectifier contains an electronic or an electrochemical element which leads the current to flow in single direction.
Batteries already have DC energy stored and ready to use in an electrical appliance. Some of the appliances require AC energy from the battery; an inverter or a motor generator set is used to convert electricity from DC to AC.
Direct current can travel through various media:
1. Conductors: which are generally a wire such as copper or aluminum. DC electricity passes through insulated conductors (wires) from one point to another.
2. Semiconductors: which are a mixture of conductors and insulators, such as Silicon, which are used in a wide variety of electronics.
3. Vacuum: is also a means by which DC electricity travels in the form of electrons or ion beams. Perfect example of this is the electric bulb.
Related Posts:
What is an Alternating Current?
