'alternating current' definitions:
Definition of 'alternating current'
From: WordNet
noun
An electric current that reverses direction sinusoidally; "In the US most household current is AC at 60 cycles per second" [syn: alternating current, AC, alternating electric current] [ant: DC, direct current, direct electric current]
Definition of 'alternating current'
From: GCIDE
- electric current \electric current\, electrical current \electrical current\, the movement of electrically charged particles, atoms, or ions, through solids, liquids, gases, or free space; the term is usually used of relatively smooth movements of electric charge through conductors, whether constant or variable. Sudden movements of charge are usually referred to by other terms, such as spark or lightning or discharge. In metallic conductors the electric current is usually due to movement of electrons through the metal. The current is measured as the rate of movement of charge per unit time, and is counted in units of amperes. As a formal definition, the direction of movement of electric current is considered as the same as the direction of movement of positive charge, or in a direction opposite to the movement of negative charge. Electric current may move constantly in a single direction, called direct current (abbreviated DC), or may move alternately in one direction and then the opposite direction, called alternating current (abbreviated AC). [PJC]
Synonyms of 'alternating current'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- absorption current,
- AC,
- active current,
- conduction current,
- convection current,
- cycle,
- DC,
- delta current,
- dielectric displacement current,
- direct current,
- displacement current,
- eddy current,
- electric current,
- electric stream,
- emission current,
- exciting current,
- free alternating current,
- galvanic current,
- high-frequency current,
- idle current,
- induced current,
- induction current,
- ionization current,
- juice,
- low-frequency current,
- magnetizing current,
- multiphase current,
- pulsating direct current,
- reactive current,
- rotary current,
- single-phase alternating current,
- stray current,
- thermionic current,
- thermoelectric current,
- three-phase alternating current,
- voltaic current,
- watt current