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This conversion happens through the use of the aptly named converter. We hook up the DC batteries to the more easily transmitted AC power source, and the AC is converted into DC power. The AC can be transmitted, but it can not be stored in a battery. The specifics of the why aren’t pertinent to the subject of this article, but you can watch this video if you would like to know more. You might be wondering, “If DC is a more stable power source, why don’t we just use it for everything?” The answer is that DC is difficult to transmit over long distances, which is why AC powers the national grid. To make them compatible with AC, many of those systems, such as computers, come equipped with onboard AC to DC converters. For the most part, you can assume that it requires DC if it has a microchip. However, this type of flow isn’t naturally compatible with more complex electrical systems. This behavior causes brief interruptions in power, which isn’t a problem for electronics with simple circuitry. This effect is directly caused by AC power changing directions. Have you ever heard that lightbulbs aren’t a steady source of light? They look steady to the human eye, but in reality, light bulbs rapidly flash like a strobe light. The electrons rapidly flow back-and-forth.
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We call it alternating current because the flow of the electricity isn’t unidirectional. RVs are powered by two electrical systems, AC and DC.ĪC, also called alternating current, is what typically powers a regular brick-and-mortar home.
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