A microcontroller typically operates on **DC (Direct Current)**. Here's a more detailed explanation:
### Power Source for Microcontrollers:
Microcontrollers are usually powered by a DC voltage, meaning the current flows in one direction only. They rely on a steady and stable DC power supply to function. Common voltage levels for microcontrollers are 3.3V, 5V, or sometimes 1.8V, depending on the microcontroller's design and specifications.
### Why DC?
Microcontrollers are designed to process digital signals, which involve on/off states (often represented as high and low voltages). These on/off states are more easily achieved and maintained with DC power, as alternating current (AC) changes direction periodically, making it unsuitable for the precise operations required by microcontrollers.
### AC vs. DC:
1. **AC (Alternating Current)**: AC is typically used in household electrical systems, where the voltage periodically changes direction (alternates). While AC is great for powering large devices like motors, it is not suitable for sensitive electronics like microcontrollers, which require stable, constant voltage.
2. **DC (Direct Current)**: DC is a steady flow of electric charge in one direction. Microcontrollers, as digital devices, require a constant voltage supply to interpret logic levels correctly (for example, 0V as logic low and 3.3V as logic high). This makes DC the ideal power source for microcontrollers.
### Converting AC to DC:
In many cases, when a microcontroller is part of a larger system powered by AC (like in household appliances or electronic gadgets), the AC voltage is first converted to DC using components like a **rectifier** (which converts AC to DC), followed by **voltage regulation** to ensure the voltage is stable and within the required range for the microcontroller.
### Conclusion:
To summarize, **microcontrollers operate on DC**, and while they can be part of systems that use AC power, the actual operation of the microcontroller itself requires a steady DC power source to function properly.