alternating current
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alternating current
Electric current that changes its direction (polarity) at regular intervals. It is the form of current that typically comes from household wall sockets.
Die meisten Haushaltsgeräte in Europa werden mit Wechselstrom bei einer Frequenz von 50 Hertz betrieben.
Most household appliances in Europe are operated with alternating current at a frequency of 50 hertz.
'Wechselstrom' (alternating current) is made up of 'der Wechsel' (change) and 'der Strom' (current/electricity). It literally describes an electric current that constantly changes direction.
Der Erfinder Nikola Tesla hat maßgeblich zur Entwicklung des Wechselstroms beigetragen.
The inventor Nikola Tesla made a major contribution to the development of alternating current.
Although 'Wechselstrom' (alternating current) is a technical term from physics, it is used in everyday language to describe the electricity that comes from a wall socket.
Fast alle Geräte im Haushalt funktionieren mit Wechselstrom.
Almost all household devices work with alternating current.
A very common formulation is that a device is 'mit Wechselstrom betrieben wird' (operated with alternating current) or 'für Wechselstrom ausgelegt ist' (designed for alternating current).
Dieses Ladegerät wandelt Wechselstrom in Gleichstrom um.
This charger converts alternating current into direct current.
direct current
'Gleichstrom' and 'Wechselstrom' are two types of electric current and are opposites. With 'Gleichstrom', the current always flows in the same direction. With 'Wechselstrom', the current regularly changes direction. The words are easy to confuse because both have to do with electricity and sound similarly technical. A simple memory aid is: 'gleich' here means the same direction, while 'wechsel' means a changing direction. In homes, alternating current usually comes from the wall socket.
Für die Prüfung lernt das Kind, dass aus der Steckdose Wechselstrom kommt.
For the test, the child learns that alternating current comes from the wall socket.
Der Lehrer erklärt, dass eine Batterie Gleichstrom liefert.
The teacher explains that a battery supplies direct current.