A.C. Voltage ?? How come !

[aljamri]

If A.C. stands for Alternating Current, then how come we say A.C. voltage ?

or i missed something ?

 

[pursang]

The volt (symbol: V) is the SI derived unit of electric potential difference or electromotive force.[1][2] It is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta (1745–1827), who invented the voltaic pile, the first modern chemical battery.

The volt is defined as the potential difference across a conductor when a current of one ampere dissipates one watt of power. Hence, it is the base SI representation m2 · kg · s-3 · A-1, which can be equally represented as one joule of energy per coulomb of charge, J/C.


An alternating current (AC) is an electrical current whose magnitude and direction vary cyclically, as opposed to direct current, whose direction remains constant.

 

[aljamri]

so, is that means it is ok to say A.C. Voltage ?

 

[allbits]

When you say 230 V AC , it simply means we have a RMS potential of 230V, across two wires under consideration.

When you connect a load (or even a wire !! until smoke comes out) between the two wires, the current that passes through it will change direction, every 20 milliseconds (if your country has 50 Hz)

There is nothing wrong in SAYING AC voltage!!!

 

[eblc1388]

Why not?

AC voltage is a kind of voltage that will produce alternating current in the load if one connects a load to it.

 

[RODALCO]

It is good practise to say either AC Voltage or say Voltage at 50 or 60 Hz.

Most appliances will state it on the nameplate, Voltage ... Volts, Frequency .. Hertz, Current .. Ampères.

Nicola Tesla invented the AC system and unfortunately he did not get much credit for that.

Thomas Alpha Edison invented the DC system and all other equipment like switches, lamps, meters etc.

With an AC system the peak voltage is 1.41 ( sqr rt 2) x the RMS voltage.
For 230 Volts AC it is 325 Volts pk. That is why components like caps in mains supplies need to be rated at 400 V min.
Those systems were originally DC = Direct Current.

English speaking countries use the symbol V for Volts, In Europe the symbol U is used.

 

[kchriste]

If A.C. stands for Alternating Current, then how come we say A.C. voltage ?

Oh I see what you are getting at. By saying "A.C. voltage" we are actually saying "Alternating Current Voltage".
Yes, it sounds silly but it is a common expression when abbreviated. You didn't expect the English language to be logical did you?
VDC and VAC are common ways of expressing DC and AC voltages as opposed to current.

 

[Hero999]

The alternating voltage causes an alternating current to flow or the flow of an alternating current causes an alternating voltage to develop across a resistor. There's nothing illogical about that, it's just ohm's law.

 

[RODALCO]

A.C. stands for Alternating Cycle. ( if my memory serves me well )

This can get applied to both, Volts and Amps.