Aviation Point

Vineet Manohar Gajbhiye

(India’s Youngest DGCA BAMEEC Holder- B1.1)
Email ID: Aviationpoint01@gmail.com
Website: aviationpoint.in

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Document Details:
1. Title: Electrical Fundamentals Chapterwise Notes
2. Module/QPREF: 0310
3. Sub-Module: 3.13 - AC Theory
4. Particular Topic (If Any): N/A
5. References: EASA Techbook
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1. Alternating current has largely replaced direct current in commercial power systems
for a number of reasons. It can be transmitted over long distances more readily and

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more economically than direct current, since AC voltages can be increased or decreased
by means of transformers. oin
2. Advantages can be realized by using AC. Space and weight can be saved, since AC
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devices, especially motors, are smaller and simpler than DC devices.

3. In most AC motors no brushes are required, and commutation trouble at high altitude
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is eliminated.

4. Direct current flows constantly in only one direction with a constant polarity. It changes
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magnitude only when the circuit is opened or closed.

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5. Alternating current changes direction at regular intervals, increases in value at a definite

rate from zero to a maximum positive strength, and decreases back to zero; then it flows
in the opposite direction, similarly increasing to a maximum negative value, and again
decreasing to zero.

6. Since alternating current constantly changes direction and intensity, the following two
effects (to be discussed later) take place in AC circuits that do not occur in DC circuits:
Inductive reactance and Capacitive reactance.

7. Lenz's law states: The induced current caused by the relative motion of a conductor
and a magnetic field always flows in such a direction that its magnetic field opposes the
motion.

8. When a conductor is moved through a magnetic field, an electromotive force (EMF) is

induced in the conductor.
9. The left-hand rule is summed up as follows: The first finger of the left hand is pointed in
the direction of the magnetic lines of force (north to south), the thumb is pointed in the
direction of movement of the conductor through the magnetic field, and the second
finger points in the direction of the induced EMF.

10. The value of an induced EMF depends on three factors:

1. The number of wires moving through the magnetic field.
2. The strength of the magnetic field.
3. The speed of rotation.

11. Generators used to produce an alternating current are called AC generators or

alternators.

12. Current is taken from the collector rings by brushes.

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13. A cycle is a repetition of a pattern. Whenever a voltage or current passes through a

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series of changes, returns to the starting point, and then again starts the same series of
changes, the series is called a cycle.
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14. Frequency= Number of Poles/2 × rpm/60.

15. The time required for a sine wave to complete one full cycle is called a period. The
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period of a sine wave is inversely proportional to the frequency.

16. The distance that a waveform travels during a period is commonly referred to as a
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wavelength and is indicated by the Greek letter lambda (λ).

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17. In addition to frequency and cycle characteristics, alternating voltage and current also
have a relationship called "phase."

18. If the two waveforms differ by 360°, they are said to be in phase with each other. If there
is a 180° difference between the two signals, then they are still out of phase even though
they are both reaching their minimum and maximum values at the same time.

19. There are three values of alternating current, which are instantaneous, peak, and
effective (root mean square, RMS).

20. An instantaneous value of voltage or current is the induced voltage or current flowing at
any instant during a cycle.

21. The peak value is the largest instantaneous value. The largest single positive value
occurs when the sine wave of voltage is at 90°, and the largest single negative value
occurs when it is at 270°.
22. The effective value is also known as the RMS value or root mean square, which refers
to the mathematical proce s s by which the value is derived.

Note: Vrms = (√0.5 ) × Vp

Vrms = 0.707 × Vp
Vp = 1.414 × Vrms

23. A square wave is produced when there is a flow of electrons for a set period of time that
stops abruptly for a set period of time and then repeats. Triangular waves can also be
created. These and other special waves can be created by oscillators.

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