ELECTRONIC/TECHNICAL

TERMS
(AC-DC)

BALTAZAR, JENICA MARIE ALEXIS C.

CEIT-29-902E
ECE553/W/10:30-12:30
ENGR. ODILON YANGCO
 AC-DC converters are electrical circuits that transform alternating current (AC)
input into direct current (DC) output. They are used in power electronic applications
where the power input a 50 Hz or 60 Hz sine-wave AC voltage that requires power
conversion for a DC output.

 A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current (AC), which

periodically reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which flows in only one
direction.

 Rectification is the conversion of alternating current to direct current. Rectification

is performed by a diode that allows current to flow in one direction but not in the
opposite direction. Direct current that has only been rectified, however, has various
changes in voltage (ripples) lingering from the alternating current.

 Linear devices are simple and relatively inexpensive, but also large and
inefficient. They process excess power as heat, which can be problematic for some
temperature-sensitive applications.

 Switching devices are more complex AC to DC converters that use a switched-

mode power supply (SMPS). A switching regulator shifts very quickly between full-
on and full-off states, minimizing wasted energy. Switching converters are more
efficient, smaller, and lighter, but also more complicated. They can cause electrical
noise problems if not carefully suppressed, and simple designs may also have a
poor power factor.

 Direct current (DC) is the unidirectional flow of an electric charge. A battery is a

prime example of DC power. Direct current may flow through a conductor such as
a wire, but can also flow through semiconductors, insulators, or even through a
vacuum as in electron or ion beams. The electric current flows in a constant
direction, distinguishing it from alternating current (AC). A term formerly used for
this type of current was galvanic current.

 Alternating current (AC) is an electric current which periodically reverses

direction, in contrast to direct current (DC) which flows only in one direction.
Alternating current is the form in which electric power is delivered to businesses
and residences, and it is the form of electrical energy that consumers typically use
when they plug kitchen appliances, televisions, fans and electric lamps into a wall
socket.

 Transformer is a passive electrical device that transfers electrical energy between

two or more circuits. A varying current in one coil of the transformer produces a
varying magnetic flux, which, in turn, induces a varying electromotive force across
a second coil wound around the same core. Transformers are used for increasing
 or decreasing the alternating voltages in electric power applications, and for
coupling the stages of signal processing circuits.

 Voltage, electric potential difference, electric pressure or electric tension is the

difference in electric potential between two points.

 Electric current is the rate of flow of electric charge past a point or region. An
electric current is said to exist when there is a net flow of electric charge through
a region. In electric circuits this charge is often carried by electrons moving through
a wire.

 Capacitor is a passive two-terminal electronic component that stores electrical

energy in an electric field.

 Diode is a two-terminal electronic component that conducts current primarily in

one direction (asymmetric conductance); it has low (ideally zero) resistance in one
direction, and high (ideally infinite) resistance in the other.

 Electronic filters are a type of signal processing filter in the form of electrical
circuits consisting of discrete (lumped) electronic components. Such filters remove
unwanted frequency components from the applied signal, enhance wanted ones,
or both.

 Choke coil is an inductor used to block higher-frequency while passing direct

current (DC) and lower-frequencies of alternating current (AC) in an electrical
circuit. A choke usually consists of a coil of insulated wire often wound on a
magnetic core, although some consist of a doughnut-shaped "bead" of ferrite
material strung on a wire. The choke's impedance increases with frequency. Its
low electrical resistance passes both AC and DC with little power loss, but its
reactance limits the amount of AC passed.

 The most common meaning of ripple in electrical science is the small unwanted
residual periodic variation of the direct current (DC) output of a power supply which
has been derived from an alternating current (AC) source. This ripple is due to
incomplete suppression of the alternating waveform within the power supply.

 A simple half wave rectifier is a single p-n junction diode connected in series to
the load resistor. This principle is used in a half wave rectifier to convert AC to DC.
The input provided here is an alternating current. This input voltage is stepped
down using a transformer. A p-n junction diode conducts current only when it is
forward biased. The same principle is made use of in a half wave rectifier to convert
AC to DC. The input here is an alternating current. This input voltage is stepped
 down using a transformer. Since the diode is forward biased for half cycle of the
AC, the output is available only during that half cycle.

 A full wave rectifier circuit produces an output voltage or current which is purely
DC or has some specified DC component. Full wave rectifiers have some
fundamental advantages over their half wave rectifier counterparts. The average
output voltage is higher than for half wave, the output of the full wave rectifier has
lesser ripple than that of the half wave rectifier producing a relatively smoother
output waveform.