Getting to grips with AC

Barry Fawthrop · 2004-09-30T14:27:55+00:00

Greetings AllI'm trying to get to grips with regular household AC. I understand thebasics from a electronics and DC understanding, but never got to grasp theAC side of things. Thus I'm seeking your input and clarity if at allpossible1] Regular power supply from a utility company is at 120 V AC, does thecurrent then vary, based on the number of devices or appliances that are running or is this fixed also?2] One can use a transformer to increase or step up voltage from 12 to 1201:10, what does this do to the current, keep it the same step it down or what? If it loses current, then how can one create or induceadditional current, in order to increase the wattage (Volts x Amps) in thesame ratio?3] AC was chosen was the standard means of electrical supply due totransmission length. Yet most appliances convert this to DC. Can one effectively convert all incoming electrical supply to DC, and yet stillconnect the appliances or would the appliances have to be modified? For example we can call our appliances computer, monitor and printer?4] How does Watts, WattHours and Joules all relate to each other?Thank you in advance, I look forward to your repliesThanks

Sep 30, 2004 40 Replies

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Brian Reay 21 years ago

A "large", partially discharged (exhausted) battery may well have a higher internal resistance than a smaller fully charged battery. Maybe you covered that with your "all else held constant"- if so fair enough.

-- Brian Reay

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Getting to grips with AC

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