Current and electricity represent a tool of vital importance in the functioning of the world, although it is an element that was not used in the 5th century BC. C or in the Middle Ages. However, due to technological advances, now an essential element of which you must have at least a basic knowledge. So, in this article, we explain what they represent the initials VDC in electricity and its function. In the same way, the way in which the VDC is measured and its differences with the VAC is discussed.
What does VDC mean in electricity?
When talking about electricity, it is possible to mention a large number of terms, since the subject is extensive. However, the titles that are most used are those of direct current and alternating current, since they are basic concepts that must be known when working with energy. However, sometimes they are written in shorthand modewhich can make it difficult to understand them.
In this sense, when looking at the initials VDC, you have to know that they refer to the title Voltage of Continuous Current. What in Spanish translates as volts in direct current, that is, the amount of volts that are in a battery or that a certain technology product consumes. In the same way, the VDC represents the amount of electricity that is injected into a circuit so that it can work.
What is VDC on a multimeter?
The multimeter is a technology tool used to measure Current, electricity or voltage. There are different variants of these devices, but from the simplest ones the objective of making this type of current measurement can be met.
In this sense, some only work with direct current, while others are intended for alternating current. However, digital ones have the characteristic of having both functions. When a multimeter is placed in the VDC option it is because you want it to measure direct current. There, the number will be expressed in volts or amps depending on what you want to measure.
What unit of measure is VDC?
When measuring DC current or VDC, the multimeter or ammeter will display a number with an A next to it. This letter represents the unit of measurement of the current, in its two variants. So the A shows what the amount of amperes that exists in a sample. It is possible to define that the amps mean the amount of electricity that passes through a certain cable.
On the other hand, if an electrical circuit is connected to a voltmeter, the unit of measurement changes. In this sense, with this device the VDC It is expressed as voltage, so one volt can determine potential energy. So, the voltage represents the voltage or charge that exists between two points in a circuit, that is, how much energy passes through there.
One way to do this measurement is to use a rechargeable battery or an alkaline type. There, one of the multimeter or voltmeter leads is attached to the tip of the battery. The device then measures the voltage or amperage that the circuit or device has.
What is the difference between VDC and VAC?
The issue of electric current can be studied in physics and there the distinction between direct and alternating is observed through experiments. However, there are times when the differences between these two points are not clear.
DC or VDC direct current refers to that energy in which electrons move in only one direction within a wire. It is also often referred to as direct current, which is abbreviated DC. It is considered to thomas edison as the character who discovered this type of electricity in 1752, long after the V century BC, of which it is said that there were already experiments.
Direct current can be generated with a conductive material, because it attracts electrons on one side. While the repulsion is executed by another the opposite site, being then a closed circuit. Among the objects that use this kind of current we must count a car battery, solar panels and telephone batteries. As for natural elements, we must mention the sun’s rays.
Alternating current or VAC, for its acronym in English, works in the opposite way to direct. Well, here electricity has the ability to move in both directions. The function of alternating current is to produce the greatest transportation of energy possible. That is, the greater the distance the circuit has, the better it will be for the current.
This kind of current produces a cycle as it moves, which is called frequency. The unit of measurement of said frequency is expressed in Hertz. So, 1 hertz tells us that there is one revolution per second, the higher the number, the more cycles are completed. This discovery is due to Nicholas Tesla and it can be found on light poles or household plugs.
- The energy that is transported is greater in alternating current.
- The direct current needs to connect each pole with oppositewhile in alternating the connection does not matter.
- there is only one address in direct current, while in alternating current there are more.
- The voltage or tension does not change in direct current, but in alternating current it can vary.
- DC current can be save in piles and batteries, however, there is no this option in alternating current.
How can VDC be converted to volts?
It is important to clarify that electricity and current are always expressed in volts, since this is their unit of measurement, what can be converted is the type of current. Thus, the way in which volts can be transformed from direct current to alternating current is by using a source of power, which is a special team for these cases. In that sense, the power source is a device of current technology, not from the 5th century BC, which works with energy. This can be electrical, atomic, thermal or any other variation that is used in the scientific world.
The power source is known as an electrical circuit that passes alternating current to direct type energy, that is, from VAC to VDC. A very frequent example can be found in phone chargers, since the outlet has alternating current electricity. The phone, which has an alkaline battery, cannot receive that type of current, as it would affect the battery. So, when you connect the charger, it acts as a regulator and transformer that changes the power to direct current.
