suoravirta

Suoravirta is a Finnish term that translates to "direct current" in English. It refers to the unidirectional flow of electric charge. In a direct current circuit, the electric potential or voltage between two points remains constant, causing the current to flow in one direction. This is in contrast to alternating current (AC), where the direction of the current periodically reverses.

Direct current is commonly produced by sources such as batteries, solar cells, and DC generators. It is the type of electricity supplied by portable electronic devices like smartphones, laptops, and remote controls. Many electronic components, such as semiconductors, require DC power to operate correctly.

Historically, DC was the primary form of electricity distributed. However, AC became more prevalent for long-distance power transmission due to the ease with which its voltage can be transformed using transformers. Despite this, DC remains vital for specific applications, including in vehicle electrical systems, and for powering sensitive electronic equipment. The conversion between AC and DC is achieved using rectifiers and inverters.