Alternating Current

Alternating Current is a course designed to familiarize participants with how alternating current (AC) circuits work, and how voltage and current can change depending on the load, the source, and how the load and source are connected together. After completing this course, participants should be able to determine current and voltage values for an AC sine wave; explain how resistance, inductance, and capacitance affect AC circuits; explain how to calculate power in AC circuits and how to adjust power by correctly selecting and sizing circuit components; and describe the construction, operation, and use of various types of transformers.

Request a demo

Course Details

Learning Objectives

  • Explain why voltage rises and falls in an AC circuit.
  • Determine the voltage values for any theta of an AC sine wave.
  • Calculate the peak, effective, and root mean square (rms) voltage values for a given AC sine wave.
  • Identify the phase relationships between two AC waveforms.
  • Identify leading and lagging waveforms.
  • Create a vector diagram describing the phase relationships between two AC waveforms.
  • Describe the phase relationship between voltage and current in a resistive AC circuit.
  • Calculate the voltage, current, resistance, and power in an AC resistive circuit.
  • Describe the voltage and current transients that occur in an inductive AC circuit.
  • Identify factors that can affect the inductive reactance in an AC circuit.
  • Recognize a vector diagram for an AC inductive circuit.
  • Calculate the inductive reactance in an AC circuit.
  • Describe the voltage and current transients that occur in a capacitive AC circuit.
  • Identify factors that can affect the capacitance of an AC circuit.
  • Recognize a vector diagram for an AC capacitive circuit.
  • Calculate the capacitive reactance in an AC circuit.
  • Describe the voltage and current relationships in circuits that contain resistance, inductance, and capacitance.
  • Create vector diagrams that describe the impedance of AC circuits that contain resistance, inductance, and capacitance.
  • Calculate the impedance, voltage, and current through AC circuits that contain resistance, inductance, and capacitance.
  • Describe the effect of resonant frequencies in series and parallel circuits.
  • Describe how bandwidth is affected by resistance in series and parallel circuits.
  • Describe the relationship between true power, apparent power, and reactive power in an AC circuit.
  • Calculate the true power, apparent power, reactive power, and power factor of an AC circuit.
  • Determine whether the power factor of a circuit is leading or lagging.
  • Specs

    Course Level Intermediate
    Languages English
    Compatibility Audio, Video, MobileReady

    Author

    Vector Solutions

    With over two decades of experience designing advanced 3D animated courseware and developing our proprietary learning management software, we pride ourselves by having developed over 1,000 safety and operations training modules, which have helped train over 250,000 workers worldwide. Our highly experienced team provides the industry with a simple and high-quality means of training their workforce. Whether your team consists of 25 people or an enterprise with thousands, we’re here to help.

    Course Applies To

    Demos + Pricing

    Learn more about our courses, get pricing, and see our platform.

    Trusted by 24,000+ Industry Leaders