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Also see current, voltage, and direct current. In electricity, alternating current (AC) occurs when charge carriers in a conductor or semiconductor periodically reverse their direction of movement. Household utility current in most countries is AC with a frequency of 60 hertz (60 complete cycles per second), although in some countries it is 50 Hz. The radio-frequency (RF) current in antennas and transmission lines is another example of AC. An AC waveform can be sinusoidal, square, or sawtooth-shaped. Some AC waveforms are irregular or complicated. An example of sine-wave AC is common household utility current (in the ideal case).
The normal alternating current mains power supply comprises a sinusoidal waveform that has symmetrical positive and negative half cycles. The RMS (Root Mean Square) value of an alternating current is measured in terms of the direct (dc) current that produces the same heating effect in the same resistance.The FORM FACTOR of a waveform: = RMS value / Average value. The PEAK or CREST FACTOR of a waveform: = peak or max.value / RMS value.he normal alternating current mains power supply comprises a sinusoidal waveform that has symmetrical positive and negative half cycles. The RMS (Root Mean Square) value of an alternating current is measured in terms of the direct (dc) current that produces the same heating effect in the same resistance.