Current sources produce or receive electric current and come in various types, including resistor, active, RF, DC, and AC sources. Resistor sources are simple but not efficient, while active sources use transistor elements or vacuum tubes to replace the resistor. DC and AC sources are used in different processes, and RF sources operate at a lower frequency and higher voltage, making them optimal for some processes like electric arc welding and thin film sputtering.
A current source is equipment used to produce or receive an electric current. It is related to the voltage source, which is the dual of the current source. Often, one current source will be used to power various machines, which can derive energy from the electrical current produced. A wide variety of current sources are available, such as resistor sources, active sources, radio frequency (RF) current sources, and direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) sources. Each type uses a different mechanism to generate and maintain an electric current.
Resistor sources are considered to be the simplest forms of current source. They involve a circuit that contains a resistor in series with a voltage source. The current generated by this system is equivalent to the amplitude of the voltage, divided by the resistance of the resistor.
A resistor current source is generally not considered effective on its own due to the large amount of power lost in the resistor, but many current source types use elements of this configuration. For example, active current sources often substitute a different element for the resistor. These use transistor elements or vacuum tubes to replace the resistor because they can act as current sources when energized. By replacing these parts to the resistor, the system will not lose the same amount of power.
DC and AC sources are often used in many different processes that require electrical energy. Direct current is simply the flow of an electric current in one direction, whereas alternating current involves an alternating direction of current flow. Alternating current can be converted to direct current with the use of a rectifier, a device that allows only one direction of current flow. Equipment such as batteries, solar cells, and low voltage devices often rely on a DC source, while some motors and types of lighting rely on an AC source.
The RF current source sends out electrical signals at the frequency of radio waves. They differ from DC and AC sources in that they operate at a lower frequency and higher voltage. Furthermore, RF current generally flows along the surface of an electrical conductor rather than entirely within it and has the ability to travel through insulating elements. It also has a greater ability to ionize gases and gaseous plasma materials, making it optimal for some processes, such as electric arc welding and thin film sputtering.
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