1 Answer
A **12-volt** power supply can be either **AC (Alternating Current)** or **DC (Direct Current)**. The key difference is in how the electricity flows:
- **12V DC (Direct Current)**: This is a constant voltage where the current flows in one direction only. You find this in most battery-powered devices, like toys, LED strips, and some power adapters.
- **12V AC (Alternating Current)**: This is the type of electricity that changes direction periodically. In the case of 12V AC, the voltage will alternate from positive to negative at a certain frequency (typically 50 or 60 Hz, depending on the region). You might find this in some low-voltage systems, like small transformers or certain types of lighting.
So, when someone says "12V," you usually need to clarify whether they mean DC or AC because they behave differently and are used for different purposes.
- **12V DC (Direct Current)**: This is a constant voltage where the current flows in one direction only. You find this in most battery-powered devices, like toys, LED strips, and some power adapters.
- **12V AC (Alternating Current)**: This is the type of electricity that changes direction periodically. In the case of 12V AC, the voltage will alternate from positive to negative at a certain frequency (typically 50 or 60 Hz, depending on the region). You might find this in some low-voltage systems, like small transformers or certain types of lighting.
So, when someone says "12V," you usually need to clarify whether they mean DC or AC because they behave differently and are used for different purposes.