Basic Fundamentals of AC Circuit Analysis

Alternating Current (AC) is an electric current that periodically reverses direction and changes its magnitude continuously with time in contrast to Direct Current (DC) which flows only in one direction. Alternating current is the form in which electric power is delivered to businesses and residences, and it is the form of electrical energy that consumers typically use when they plug kitchen appliances, televisions, fans and electric lamps into a wall socket. A common source of DC power is a battery cell in a flashlight. The abbreviations AC and DC are often used to mean simply alternating and direct, as when they modify current or voltage.

The usual waveform of alternating current in most electric power circuits is a sine wave, whose positive half-period corresponds with positive direction of the current and vice versa. In certain applications, like guitar amplifiers, different waveforms are used, such as triangular waves or square waves. Audio and radio signals carried on electrical wires are also examples of alternating current. These types of alternating current carry information such as sound (audio) or images (video) sometimes carried by modulation of an AC carrier signal. These currents typically alternate at higher frequencies than those used in power transmission.

This course deals specifically with sinusoidal waveforms and will provide the student with the basic understanding of working with circuits involving Alternating Current, which includes sinusoidal waveforms, vectors & phasors, reactance & impedance of R,L,C circuits, as they relate to the basic laws and theorems of electricity. This includes working with AC Power, Power Factor, Resonance, Complex Numbers, Reactance and Impedance.

Anyone wanting to understand the Basic concepts of electricity as it applies to linear AC circuit analysis (resistors, capacitors and inductors).

1. I liked the course. The course is very informative. Even though I am not a native speaker I could easily understood what teacher said ~ O Hocaoğlu
2. Great! This one talks a lot about power. In addition, there are lots of inductors and capacitors and how they behave in AC circuits ~ Kylar O
3. The course does exactly as expected. Clearly without much complication defines Alternating Current and various calculation. It does not simmer on any particular subject and it leaves you with few questions ~ Krzysztof F
4. Excellent review of AC Circuit Analysis. The diagrams and automations really help explain the material ~ D MacArthur
5. Clear concise speech and logic explained very simply. Great! ~ J Zafar
6. The instructor is very easy to understand. Great refresher course! ~ Dilano H

1. This course will provide an understanding of alternating sinusoidal current.
2. Including sinusoidal waveforms,
3. Including vectors & phasors,
4. Including reactance & impedance.

The student should have an understanding of the basic fundamentals of electricity and DC circuit analysis.