alternating current & alternating voltage
alternating current & alternating voltage
(OP)
I was wondering if anyone can explain alternating current and alternating voltage polarity as it relates to time. If frequency is 60 Hz then I have 60 cycles a second. If a cycle is half positive and half negative then every 120th of a second I have current reverse and polarity reverse. Can anyone explain this and maybe include a diagram that illustrates it? I am a meterman and I am wondering why the meter wouldn't reverse direction as the polarity and current reverse. Help
peetey
peetey






RE: alternating current & alternating voltage
This is because the multimeter measures the effective value of the magnitude and not the instantaneous value.
RE: alternating current & alternating voltage
I'd check out the Meterman's Handbook.
RE: alternating current & alternating voltage
When both the current and voltage are both in the positive part of the cycle then V x I = positive.
When both the current and voltage are in the negativee part of the cycle then -V x -I = positive.
So the power flow is positive in both sections of the cycle.
It does get way more complex than this, but it gives a general idea.