Differences between alternating and direct current

May 5, 2018

S.N	Alternating current	Direct current
1.	The current which changes magnitude and polarity is called alternating current.	The current which does not change magnitude and polarity is called direct current.
2.	It is produced by AC generator, dynamo, etc.	It is produced by cells, battery, DC generator, etc.
3.	It can be used in transformer to increase or decrease the voltage.	It cannot be used in transformer.
4.	It has non zero frequency.	It has zero frequency.
5.	It is denoted by AC.	It is denoted by DC.
6.	It can provide more power and is safe to transfer over longer city distances.	Voltage of DC cannot travel very far until it begins to lose energy.
7.	Rotating magnet along the wire is the cause of the direction of flow of electrons.	Steady magnetism along the wire is the cause of the direction of flow of electrons.
8.	Electrons keep switching directions- forward and backward.	Electrons move steadily in one direction or forward.
9.	Power factor lies between 0 and 1.	Power factor is always 1.
10.	Passive parameters are impedance.	Passive parameter is resistance only.
11.	It is of sinusoidal, trapezoidal, triangular, square types.	It is pure and pulsating types.