How is frequency calculated in an AC circuit, and what are its units?
1 Answer
In an AC (alternating current) circuit, frequency refers to the number of complete cycles of the AC waveform that occur in one second. The AC waveform can take various shapes, but the most common one is the sine wave. The frequency is typically denoted by the symbol "f" and is measured in hertz (Hz).
One complete cycle of an AC waveform consists of a positive half-cycle (from zero to the peak value) and a negative half-cycle (from the peak value back to zero), or vice versa. The frequency is calculated by counting the number of these complete cycles that occur in one second.
Mathematically, the formula for calculating frequency is:
Frequency (f) = Number of Cycles / Time
Where:
Frequency (f) is in hertz (Hz)
Number of Cycles is the total number of complete cycles of the AC waveform
Time is the duration in seconds over which the cycles occurred
For example, if you observe 50 complete cycles of an AC waveform in 1 second, the frequency would be:
Frequency (f) = 50 cycles / 1 second = 50 Hz
The hertz (Hz) is the unit of frequency, and it represents cycles per second. In the context of electrical systems, the frequency of the AC power supply is a critical parameter. In many parts of the world, the standard frequency for mains electricity is 50 Hz or 60 Hz, depending on the region.
One complete cycle of an AC waveform consists of a positive half-cycle (from zero to the peak value) and a negative half-cycle (from the peak value back to zero), or vice versa. The frequency is calculated by counting the number of these complete cycles that occur in one second.
Mathematically, the formula for calculating frequency is:
Frequency (f) = Number of Cycles / Time
Where:
Frequency (f) is in hertz (Hz)
Number of Cycles is the total number of complete cycles of the AC waveform
Time is the duration in seconds over which the cycles occurred
For example, if you observe 50 complete cycles of an AC waveform in 1 second, the frequency would be:
Frequency (f) = 50 cycles / 1 second = 50 Hz
The hertz (Hz) is the unit of frequency, and it represents cycles per second. In the context of electrical systems, the frequency of the AC power supply is a critical parameter. In many parts of the world, the standard frequency for mains electricity is 50 Hz or 60 Hz, depending on the region.