Frequency

Frequency in Alternating Current

If the loop in the first illustration view (A) makes one complete revolution each second, the generator produces one complete cycle of ac during each second (1 Hz). Increasing the number of revolutions to two per second will produce two complete cycles of ac per second (2 Hz).

The number of complete cycles of alternating current or voltage completed each second is referred to as the "(FREQUENCY)". This is always measured and expressed in hertz.

Alternating-current-frequency is an important term to understand since most ac electrical equipments require a specific-"frequency" for proper operation.

PERIOD

An individual cycle of any sine wave represents a definite amount of TIME. Notice that illustration shows 2 cycles of a sine wave which has a frequency of 2 hertz (Hz). Since 2 cycles occur each second, 1 cycle must require one-half second of time.

The time required to complete one cycle of a waveform is called the PERIOD of the wave. In the illustration below, the period is one-half second. The relationship between time (t) and frequency (f) is indicated by the formulas

Period formula for an ac sinewave.

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Period of a sinewave in alternating current.

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Each cycle of the sine wave shown in the illustration above of (Period of a sine wave) consists of two identically shaped variations in voltage.

The variation which occurs during the time the voltage is positive is called the POSITIVE ALTERNATION. The variation which occurs during the time the voltage is negative is called the NEGATIVE ALTERNATION. In a sine wave, these two alternations are identical in size and shape, but opposite in polarity.

The distance from zero to the maximum value of each alternation is called the AMPLITUDE. The amplitude of the positive alternation and the amplitude of the negative alternation are the same.

WAVELENGTH

The time it takes for a sine wave to complete one cycle is defined as the period of the waveform. The distance traveled by the sine wave during this period is referred to as WAVELENGTH.

Wavelength, indicated by the symbol (lambda) (Greek lambda), is the distance along the waveform from one point to the same point on the next cycle.

You can observe this relationship by examining the first illustration below of a wavelength. The point on the waveform that measurement of wavelength begins is not important as long as the distance is measured to the same point on the next cycle as shown in the wavelength measurement in the last illustration below.

Wavelength of ac current.

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Wavelength measurement of an ac signal.

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