Wendell S. Rice, Instrument and Controls Engineer, Parsons Infrastructure & Technology, Pasadena, CA
Articles
Brushing up on ac circuit fundamentals
Compared with dc theory, which was discussed in the May issue, the subject of ac theory is more complex. A dc current flows only one direction, hence the name direct current. With ac, or alternating current, electricity flows back and forth, switching polarity on the circuit conductors. Why ac? There are several benefits to ac, but power transmission is a big one.
Basic electronics: What is capacitance?
A capacitor is a device capable of storing an electrical charge. Capacitance is a measure of the amount of the electrical charge a capacitor can store. Electrical current is the movement of electrons. Everything contains electrons, but unless they are moving, it's not electric current. It doesn't matter if the same electron that leaves the voltage source actually gets to "do the work," as long ...