Current & Voltage Course

Lesson 14 of 16: Types of Current

Move step by step through the course and keep track of where you are.

SIMULATION

Types of Current

Compare DC current and AC current side by side. DC current moves in one steady direction, while AC current changes direction in a repeating pattern.

Mode

Running

DC Current

2.00 A

AC RMS

1.41 A

Core Idea

Current means charge flow. DC current is steady in one direction. AC current reverses direction again and again.

Legend DC Current AC Current

Simple idea

DC stays steady in one direction. AC keeps changing direction, so its size and pattern need a little more attention.

Try the DC current

Adjust the DC value and watch how the flow stays steady in one direction.

2.0 A
DC View
1. DC Current (Direct Current)

Current flows continuously in one direction.

DCCurrent+DC Supply12RESISTORakLEDOne Direction ->Current: 2.00A
DC Current Waveform012345Time (s)Current (I)
What to notice

Current

2.00 A

Direction

One Direction

Observation

DC current stays steady and keeps moving in one direction.

Try the AC signal

Change the peak current and frequency to see how AC keeps alternating.

2.0 A
1.0 Hz
AC View
2. AC Current (Alternating Current)

Current periodically changes direction.

ACCurrentAC Source12RESISTORakLEDDirection changes <->Peak: 2.00A
AC Current Waveform012345Time (s)Current (I)
What to notice

Current RMS

1.41 A

Direction

Alternating Direction

Observation

AC current changes direction again and again based on its frequency.

Comparison View

Quick comparison

Use this section to notice the simple practical difference between steady DC flow and changing AC flow.

DC stays one-way. AC changes direction.

DC Current

Flows in one fixed direction. Example: battery-powered devices.

AC Current

Changes direction periodically. Example: household power supply.

Frequency

Frequency tells how many times AC changes cycle per second. Unit: Hertz (Hz).