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Direct current

Grafik von Wechselstrom und Gleichstrom mit Periode T, präsentiert von skapetze.

Electricity consists of what are called electrons. In direct current, the electrons all move in one direction, which is exactly the opposite ofAlternating current is. Devices that run on direct current require aTransformer (Transformer), because the power grids—and thus the electricity coming out of the outlet—carry alternating current. But it was precisely this simple conversion from alternating to direct current that was the deciding factor back then in operating the high-voltage lines with three-phase alternating current, because doing it the other way around would have been much more complex and resulted in greater losses.

However, there are also electrical power sources that directly generate direct current, such as solar cells or batteries. In the home, this direct current is used in many ways; in particular, PCs and other audio and video devices require this type of current, which is supplied to them by the corresponding power supply unit. In the industrial sector, direct current is used, for example, in a process known as electrolysis.

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