växelströmsdriven

Växelströmsdriven, meaning "alternating current-powered" in Swedish, describes any device or system that operates using alternating current (AC). Alternating current is an electric current that periodically reverses direction, unlike direct current (DC) which flows in only one direction. This characteristic is fundamental to how electrical power is transmitted and utilized in most modern electrical grids.

Devices that are växelströmsdriven include a vast array of common household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, televisions, and computers. Industrial machinery, electric motors, and lighting systems also predominantly run on AC power. The widespread adoption of AC power is largely due to its efficiency in long-distance transmission. Transformers can easily step up AC voltage for transmission over long distances with minimal loss, and then step it down to safer, usable levels for consumers.

The frequency of the alternating current can vary depending on the region. In Europe, for example, the standard frequency is 50 Hertz (Hz), meaning the current reverses direction 50 times per second. In North America and parts of South America, the standard is 60 Hz. Devices designed to be växelströmsdriven are typically manufactured to operate within a specific voltage and frequency range, often indicated on the appliance's label. Using a device designed for one frequency in a system with a different frequency can lead to malfunction or damage.