DC Circuits

DC - Direct (constant) Current

AC- Alternating Current

AC electronics

• turbines

• high-voltage transmission lines

• USA outlets (120 V 60 Hz)

• Dryer outlets (240 V)

• ceiling fans

• lights

• microwaves

AC to DC adapters- charger bricks, big blocks in power cords

Batteries are DC

Semiconductors - mostly DC electronics, but the signals it is processing change rapidly

Hertz (Hz) - Cycles/second

AA Battery 1.2V

Car Battery 12-25 V

Tesla 350-375 V

Ideal Current source - applies a constant current at whatever voltage the system needs

Ideal Voltage source - applies a constant voltage at whatever current the system needs

New Circuit diagram symbols