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Conductor and Insulator Properties

An electrical current (the movement of electrons) happens when there is a potential difference (voltage) between the ends of a conductor.

Basic Electricity

Direct and Alternating Current

Current flows in one direction. A battery operated flashlight is a very common example of direct current.

Alternating Current (AC)

Direct Current (DC)

Current flows in both directions. 120 VAC 60 Hz household power is an example of AC current. There are two changes in polarity and two changes in current direction per cycle. The current in 120 VAC  60 Hz changes direction 120 times per second as shown below.

Alternating current (AC) Diagram Arrow right Arrow left Direct current (DC) Diagram Arrow left Conductor atom

Conductor atom

Insulator atom

Single electron in outer orbit

Multiple electrons in outer orbit

Insulator atom 120V Sine Wave

0 deg

0 sec

0V

120V Sine Wave

180 deg

1/120 sec

0V

360 deg

1/60 sec

0V

120V

+170V

0V

-170V

Degrees

Time

Voltage

Peak

At 0 degrees the voltage is at 0 volts and starts to rise to a peak voltage of 170 volts at 90 degrees. At 90 degrees the voltage goes back down to 0 volts at 180 degrees. The current then reverses direction and rises to a peak voltage of

-170 volts  at 270 degrees. To complete the cycle the current goes back to 0 volts at 360 degrees and the cycle starts over.

Peak