direct current (DC)

direct current (DC)
Flow of electric charge that does not change direction.

Direct current is produced by batteries, fuel cells, rectifiers, and generators with commutators. Direct current was supplanted by alternating current (AC) for common commercial power in the late 1880s because it was then uneconomical to transform it to the high voltages needed for long-distance transmission. Techniques developed in the 1960s overcame this obstacle, and direct current is now transmitted over very long distances, though it must ordinarily be converted to alternating current for final distribution. For some uses, such as electroplating, direct current is essential.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Direct current — (red curve). The horizontal axis measures time; the vertical, current or voltage. Direct current (DC) is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and… …   Wikipedia

  • direct current — n. an electric current flowing in one direction: abbrev. DC: cf. ALTERNATING CURRENT * * * ▪ electronics abbreviation  Dc,         flow of electric charge that does not change direction. Direct current is produced by batteries, fuel cells,… …   Universalium

  • Direct current — (Elec.) (a) A current flowing in one direction only; distinguished from {alternating current}. When steady and not pulsating a direct current is often called a {continuous current}. (b) {A direct induced current}, or momentary current of the same …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • direct current — direct currents N VAR A direct current is an electric current that always flows in the same direction. The abbreviation DC is also used. Some kinds of batteries can be recharged by connecting them to a source of direct current …   English dictionary

  • direct current — n an electric current flowing in one direction only and substantially constant in value abbr. DC * * * (DC) a current that flows in one direction only; when modeled as a wave, its amplitude is constant. When used medically it is called galvanic… …   Medical dictionary

  • direct current — ► NOUN ▪ an electric current flowing in one direction only. Compare with ALTERNATING CURRENT(Cf. ↑alternating current) …   English terms dictionary

  • direct current. — direct current, adj. Elect. an electric current of constant direction, having a magnitude that does not vary or varies only slightly. Abbr.: dc Cf. alternating current. [1885 90] * * * …   Universalium

  • direct current — n. an electric current flowing in one direction: abbrev. DC: cf. ALTERNATING CURRENT …   English World dictionary

  • direct current. — direct current, adj. Elect. an electric current of constant direction, having a magnitude that does not vary or varies only slightly. Abbr.: dc Cf. alternating current. [1885 90] …   Useful english dictionary

  • Direct Current —   [engl.], Gleichstrom …   Universal-Lexikon

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