Skip to main content

AC Voltage: A Beginner’s Guide

Published Date
Author Cadence PCB Solutions

Key Takeaways

  • Learn what AC voltage is. 

  • Understand how AC voltage is generated.

  • Explore the behavior of resistors, capacitors, and inductors in AC circuits.

As I was scrolling through videos on Facebook, I came across one where a kid solved a Rubik's cube in 7 seconds. It brought back memories of my similar attempts as a kid. While I could solve for one side after some struggle, I never made it as far as getting all the sides right. 

There seem to be specific techniques for how to move the cube according to the patterns you see on it. Without those techniques, the difference between solving for one side and six sides is very different. These differences are like the linearity of working with DC voltage vs. the complexity of the AC voltage. Despite AC voltage being more complex, this article will guide you to a better understanding. 

So, What Is AC Voltage?

AC stands for alternating current and it refers to how electrons are moving in an alternating direction in a conductor. In electronics, electrons move from a negative potential to a positive potential. An alternating current is produced by switching the potential between two terminals in a fixed time interval—the frequency. 

The difference in potential between the positive and negative terminal is expressed in volts. Thus, the term AC voltage is used to determine the value of the potential difference between terminals where alternating current flows. 

An infographic for an AC source powering a load

An AC source powering a load. 

When plotted on a chart, AC voltage takes the shape of a sine wave. In one cycle, the AC voltage starts from 0V, rises to its peak, passes back through 0V to its negative peak, and rises back to 0V. As the AC voltage value varies throughout the cycle, it is expressed in its peak (Vpeak) and root-mean-square values (Vrms).

Vpeak refers to the maximum amplitude of the sinusoidal waveform, while Vrms is derived via the following formula:

Vrms = Vpeak x 0.7071

Vrms is also identified as Vac. It represents the equivalent voltage delivered by DC. In the US, the mains delivers 120 Vac while the UK uses 230 Vac. 

How Is AC Voltage Generated?

A graphic of a simple AC generator powering a lamp

A simple AC generator powering a lamp. 

AC voltage is made possible thanks to Faraday’s Law of Induction. The law specifies how electric currents can be induced in a moving coil as it cuts through magnetic flux at the right angle. The current change is proportional to the rate of change in magnetic flux. 

AC alternators or generators are components built based on Faraday’s Law. They involve rotating a loop of conductors across a magnetic field. As the loop cuts through the magnetic field, the current starts to flow in one direction and it reaches the maximum when the loop is perpendicular to the magnetic field.

The loop continues to rotate until the conductor is in parallel with the magnetic flux, which results in zero current. The current starts to flow in the opposite direction as the loop starts cutting the magnetic flux but in an opposite direction.

How Resistors, Capacitors, and Inductors Work with AC Voltage

An infographic showing alternating current in inductors and capacitors

AC in inductors and capacitors.

Just like the difference in solving a single side vs. six sides of the Rubik’s cube, circuit analysis involving resistors, capacitors, and inductors becomes more complicated with AC. Unlike with DC voltages, the behaviors of these components are no longer simple when used with AC voltages.

The measurement for resistors is expressed as impedance (Z) in AC circuits, instead of resistance (R) for DC circuits. There is no difference to the resistive value, regardless of the amplitude or frequency of the AC voltage. The terminology difference exists because of how the phasor difference is considered when expressing resistance as a function of voltage and current. 

What’s more interesting is the behavior of capacitors and inductors when AC voltage is applied. These components behave like an open and short circuit, respectively, with a DC source, but that all changes with AC. Capacitors store and release the charge as AC voltage rises and decreases from its peaks. This behavior causes the voltage to lag the current by 90 degrees. 

When operating with AC voltage, the resistive property of a capacitor is defined as capacitive reactance, which has the formula:

XC = 1/ 2πƒC

Meanwhile, with AC voltage, the behavior of an inductor is dictated by Lenz’s Law and starts opposing the direction of the current that changes its magnetic flux. Hence, the current that flows through an inductor lags AC voltage by 90 degrees. The behavior is characterized by inductive reactance, which has the following formula:

XL= 2πƒL

Given that AC voltage increases the complexity of circuit analysis, it helps to use a PCB design and analysis software that’s capable of pre-calculating complex circuit parameters. OrCAD’s Mixed-Signal simulation tool allows you to analyze the behavior of the circuit when the AC voltage is applied. Having these tools at your disposal in the design process can increase the quality and reliability of your designs and help to make sure you get them right the first time.  

If you’re looking to learn more about how Cadence has the solution for you, talk to us and our team of experts. You can also visit our YouTube channel for videos about Simulation and System Analysis as well as check out what’s new with our suite of design and analysis tools.