CEDIA Gateway Practice Exam 2025 - Free CEDIA Gateway Practice Questions and Study Guide

Alternating current (AC) is characterized by its ability to change direction periodically, which is precisely what is meant by "reversing direction in cycles." This characteristic is vital to understanding how AC works, as it allows the current to flow in one direction for a certain period and then reverse to flow in the opposite direction. This cyclical change typically occurs in a waveform that can be sinusoidal, triangular, or square, depending on the application and generation of the current.

In AC systems, the frequency of the current, which indicates how many times per second the current completes a cycle of direction change, is a crucial parameter that defines its behavior and performance in various electrical applications. This is typically measured in hertz (Hz). Thus, understanding that AC reverses direction in cycles is fundamental to its use in residential and commercial power systems, where it is commonly utilized for delivering electrical energy efficiently.

The nature of AC is distinctly different from direct current (DC), which flows consistently in one direction. Recognizing this difference is essential for anyone involved in electrical and electronic systems, as it influences how devices are powered and how circuits are designed.