AC Electricity
Alternating current, RMS values, phase, reactance and impedance.
Alternating Current (AC)
Alternating current reverses direction every half cycle. Learn how AC is generated, how its waveform is described, and why the g...
Frequency and Period
Frequency is the number of cycles per second and period is the time for one cycle. They are reciprocals and together they set re...
RMS Value
The RMS value is the equivalent steady DC value that produces the same heating. It is the value used for AC power, ratings and t...
Phase Angle
Phase angle describes how far one waveform leads or lags another in time. It sets power factor, reactive power and the behaviour...
Reactance
Reactance is the opposition that inductors and capacitors offer to alternating current. It depends on frequency and shifts curre...
Impedance
Impedance is the total opposition to alternating current, combining resistance and reactance. It sets both the current magnitude...