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alternating current

(Encyclopedia) alternating current, abbr. AC, a flow of electric charge that undergoes periodic reverses in direction. In North America ordinary household current alternates at a frequency of 60…

rectifier

(Encyclopedia) rectifier, component of an electric circuit used to change alternating current to direct current. Rectifiers are made in various forms, all operating on the principle that current…

Ferraris, Galileo

(Encyclopedia) Ferraris, GalileoFerraris, Galileogälēlāˈō fār-räˈrēs [key], 1847–97, Italian physicist and electrical engineer. He is noted for his work on alternating current and for his discovery (…

commutator

(Encyclopedia) commutator, device used in an electric generator to convert the alternating current produced in the generator into direct current before the current is sent into an external circuit;…

impedance

(Encyclopedia) impedance, in electricity, measure in ohms of the degree to which an electric circuit resists the flow of electric current when a voltage is impressed across its terminals. Impedance…

transformer

(Encyclopedia) transformer, electrical device used to transfer an alternating current or voltage from one electric circuit to another by means of electromagnetic induction. The simplest type of…

electric circuit

(Encyclopedia) CE5 A. Series circuit: Current is the same through each resistance; voltage divides in direct proportion to each resistance. B. Parallel circuit: Voltage drop is the same over each…

current, electric

(Encyclopedia) current, electric, net movement or flow of electric charge from one point to another or across some boundary. See alternating current; direct current; electricity.

Westinghouse, George

(Encyclopedia) Westinghouse, George, 1846–1914, American inventor and manufacturer, b. Central Bridge, N.Y. In the Civil War he served in the Union army and navy. Among his inventions in the railroad…