Question

Why does electricity switch directions back and forth in an AC system instead of just flowing one way like it does in a battery?

Accepted Answer

Batteries use direct current, or DC, which is like a steady stream of water flowing one way through a pipe. Our power grid uses alternating current, or AC, where the electricity flips back and forth very quickly. We use AC because it is much easier to change its voltage, which is the pressure that pushes electricity through wires. To send power over long distances, we need very high pressure to keep the energy from getting lost as heat. Large machines called transformers act like gear shifts for electricity to turn that high pressure down into the lower, safer level you use for your wall outlets. It is incredibly difficult and expensive to change the pressure of DC, but AC makes it simple. Imagine a giant saw moving back and forth; even though it does not travel in one direction, it still does the work of cutting. By pushing and pulling the energy back and forth, we can move power across the entire country with very little waste.

Why does electricity switch directions back and forth in an AC system instead of just flowing one way like it does in a battery?

Batteries use direct current, or DC, which is like a steady stream of water flowing one way through a pipe. Our power grid uses alternating current, or AC, where the electricity flips back and forth very quickly. We use AC because it is much easier to change its voltage, which is t....

Community Answers

Home → All Courses → Engineering and Technology Courses → Power Engineering → Flashcard

Why does electricity switch directions back and forth in an AC system instead of just flowing one way like it does in a battery?

Batteries use direct current, or DC, which is like a steady stream of water flowing one way through a pipe. Our power grid uses alternating current, or AC, where the electricity flips back and forth very quickly. We use AC because it is much easier to change its voltage, which is t....

Community Answers