why do alternating current called alternating
By neo2311
@neo2311 (40)
India
June 16, 2010 5:08am CST
hey every one it's time for some serious thinking i was wondering why is alternating current called alternating , i read that it's because it changes it's magnitude and direction, i guess some geek will get this , but we have live wire and neutral wire , we get current in live but not in neutral , so wat is it with the alternating thing , can any one explain me that
1 person likes this
1 response
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
16 Jun 10
Alternating current is so called because the polarity across the two terminals alternates (reverses direction) between positive and negative according to a regular cycle.
The two current-carrying wires in a domestic installation are designated as 'live' and 'neutral' because, although current flows in both (as it must), the 'neutral' line is held to the potential of 'earth' for safety reasons and the 'live' line is the one that is regarded as varying in potential.
There is a good, fairly simple, explanation here: http://www.play-hookey.com/ac_theory/
@debsgw (256)
•
16 Jun 10
nice response owlwings - and great question
that's what I love about this place, you can learn some really interesting stuff, appreciate the link to learn more too :)
