What is Direct Current?

 

What is Direct Current?

 

Direct current, often abbreviated as DC, is a type of electric current that flows in a constant direction. In other words, the flow of electric charge is unidirectional, moving from the positive terminal to the negative terminal of a power source, such as a battery or a DC power supply.

 

DC is different from alternating current (AC), where the electric charge periodically reverses direction. The voltage of a DC source remains relatively constant over time, creating a steady and continuous flow of electric charge.

 

Direct current is commonly used in various electronic devices, such as batteries, electronic circuits, and many low-voltage applications. It has specific advantages in certain applications, but for long-distance power transmission and other purposes, alternating current is often preferred due to its ability to be easily transformed and transmitted at different voltage levels.