When.com Web Search

Search results

  1. Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
  2. Alternating current - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternating_current

    Alternating current (AC) is an electric current that periodically reverses direction and changes its magnitude continuously with time, in contrast to direct current (DC), which flows only in one direction. Alternating current is the form in which electric power is delivered to businesses and residences, and it is the form of electrical energy ...

  3. Voltage spike - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage_spike

    Voltage would increase as necessary so that a constant current will flow. Current from a discharging inductor is one example. For sensitive electronics, excessive current can flow if this voltage spike exceeds a material's breakdown voltage, or if it causes avalanche breakdown. In semiconductor junctions, excessive electric current may destroy ...

  4. Eddy current - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddy_current

    One is in the brakes of some trains known as eddy current brakes. During braking, the metal wheels are exposed to a magnetic field from an electromagnet, generating eddy currents in the wheels. This eddy current is formed by the movement of the wheels. So, by Lenz's law, the magnetic field formed by the eddy current will oppose its cause. Thus ...

  5. Skin effect - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skin_effect

    In Engineering Electromagnetics, Hayt points out that in a power station a busbar for alternating current at 60 Hz with a radius larger than one-third of an inch (8 mm) is a waste of copper, [20] and in practice bus bars for heavy AC current are rarely more than half an inch (12 mm) thick except for mechanical reasons.

  6. Passive sign convention - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passive_sign_convention

    Illustration of the "reference directions" of the current (), voltage (), and power () variables used in the passive sign convention.If positive current is defined as flowing into the device terminal which is defined to be positive voltage, then positive power (big arrow) given by the equation = represents electric power flowing into the device, and negative power represents power flowing out.

  7. Harmonics (electrical power) - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonics_(electrical_power)

    One of the major effects of power system harmonics is to increase the current in the system. This is particularly the case for the third harmonic, which causes a sharp increase in the zero sequence current, and therefore increases the current in the neutral conductor. This effect can require special consideration in the design of an electric ...

  8. Inrush current - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inrush_current

    As the inrush current limiter self-heats, the current begins to flow through it and warm it. Its resistance begins to drop, and a relatively small current flow charges the input capacitors. After the capacitors in the power supply become charged, the self-heated inrush current limiter offers little resistance in the circuit, with a low voltage ...

  9. Electric current - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_current

    An electric current is a flow of charged particles, such as electrons or ions, moving through an electrical conductor or space. It is defined as the net rate of flow of electric charge through a surface. [1]: 2 [2]: 622 The moving particles are called charge carriers, which may be one of several types of particles, depending on the conductor.