Question

Define the following terms with reference to alternating currents.

1) Cycle.

2) Time-period.

3) Frequency.

4) Peak factor.

Answer.

Cycle.

In Alternating current, the change of the poles from negative to positive and back

Time period.

The time taken by an alternating quantity to complete one cycle is called its time period T

Frequency.

The number of cycles / second is called frequency of the alternating quantity its unit is hertz

Peak factor.

Is defined as the ratio

Ka = maximum value / r.m.s value = Im / Im/√2 = √2 = 1.414 for sinusoidal a.c. only