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Direct current (DC or "continuous current") is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also be through semiconductors, insulators, or even through a vacuum as in electron or ion beams. In direct current, the electric charges flow in the same direction, distinguishing it from alternating current (AC). A term formerly used for direct current was Galvanic current.

Alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) are the 2 main types of currents used in electrical circuits.

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Authors Benjamin W. Sturtz
License CC-BY-SA-3.0
Language English (en)
Related 0 subpages, 12 pages link here
Impact 389 page views
Created March 31, 2008 by Benjamin W. Sturtz
Modified June 1, 2023 by Felipe Schenone
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