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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).
What is Alternating Current. Alternating current has a constant voltage, but constantly changes position between positive and negative polarities, producing a wave when represented visually. Electric current is transmitted around the country in the form of alternating current. 120 volts and 60 cycles (position changes between polarities positive to negative to positive) per second (60 Hz) alternating current is what is the most common power source that is supplied to United States residential homes.