For today, there is an adaptive xenon on sale with lamps and ignition units AC and DC. This is one and the same xenon, but having some differences, which you, as a buyer and user, must be aware of. This material is dedicated to AC and DC xenon, features, differences and much more that will be useful to know.

Intro about xenon AC and DC

At first glance, it is impossible to distinguish AC and DC ignition units. Their main difference is that AC are ignition units that have alternating currentand DC is permanent. The difference between these two xenons can be seen during their operation, more precisely during ignition and maintenance of a glow discharge. The flickering of the lamps gives out the DC ignition units.

In order to specifically understand the differences between xenon AC and DC, you need to know their design. Such sets are strikingly different precisely by the principle of operation, which is the most important for this device in lighting technology for cars. As already noted, their principle of operation is visible at the time of ignition of the xenon lamp and maintaining combustion. In order to form an electric arc between the electrodes in the lamp bulb, a powerful pulse supply is required, that is, a current of up to 25,000 V.

After the source has started burning, to maintain the lamp functioning, a continuous supply of current with a voltage of 80-85 V is required, and the controller monitors this, which is mounted in the ignitor ballast. This is the standard operating principle for xenon lamp ignition units. In AC units there is an ignitor (inverter) and a stably working stabilizer, unlike DC sets.

DC ignition unit kits: lamp ignition principle

Adaptive ignition units and xenon lamps with direct current DC have a significantly lower cost, light weight and small dimensions. They provide a single and non-cyclic discharge, which often leads to jitter of the electric arc and flicker of light from a xenon source. To properly activate the xenon lamp, a second pulse is required, which takes an additional few seconds to wait for a re-supply of current. Note that the DC system is much better in quality than halogen, but still inferior to AC sets with alternating current.

AC ignition unit kits: lamp ignition principle

Xenon ignition units and AC lamps work much more stable and better, since they are equipped with a special voltage balancer. AS units create pulses of the required frequency and power, which helps to ensure uninterrupted and stable light output by lamps. In order to create the amplitude of oscillation in the blocks and lamps of the speaker, special ignitors are used (sometimes called inverters), which provide the conversion of low-voltage current to high-voltage pulse and vice versa. Thus, from the vehicle’s on-board network voltage of 12 V (sometimes 24 V), a current of 25,000 V is generated, which in a matter of seconds ensures the ignition of the xenon emitter. It is worth noting that the AC units have two-way communication with xenon lamps, so if the light starts to go out, the unit provides a high-voltage pulse so as not to deactivate the emitter. Thus, sets of adaptive xenon speakers work more stably, there is no flickering of lamps and power surges.

Be carefull!

It often happens that when acquiring ignition blocks from unscrupulous sellers, such as in bazaars or in basement stores, buyers run into fraud. Many people trick and mount the inverter dummy into DC ignition blocks and pass them off as AC, naturally at an order of magnitude higher cost. That is why, buy adaptive xenon kits only from trusted sellers who guarantee high quality products and always provide a guarantee for any kits purchased.

Sooner or later, each person is forced to face a situation where it is necessary to get acquainted with electricity closer than in physics classes at school. The starting point for this could be how appliance breakdown or outlets, and just a sincere interest in electronics on the part of man. One of the main issues that needs to be considered: how are direct and alternating current indicated. If you are familiar with the concepts: electric current, voltage and current strength, you will easier to understandwhat is discussed in this article.

Electric voltage is divided into two types:

1. constant (dc)
2. variable (ac)

Designation of a direct current (-), at an alternating current designation (~). The ac and dc abbreviations are well-established, and are used along with the names “permanent” and “variable”. Now consider what their difference is. The fact is that constant voltage flows only in one direction, from which its name follows. And a variable, as you already understood, can change its direction. In special cases, the direction of the variable can remain the same. But, in addition to the direction, the value can also change. In constant, neither magnitude nor direction changes. Instant ac value call its value, which is taken at a given time.

In Europe and Russia, a frequency of 50 Hz is adopted, that is, it changes its direction 50 times per second, while in the USA, the frequency is 60 Hz. Therefore, equipment purchased in the United States and in other states with a different frequency can burn out. Therefore, when choosing equipment and electrical appliances, you should carefully look at the frequency of 50 Hz. The greater the frequency of the current, the greater its resistance. You can also notice that in the outlets in our house it is precisely the variable that flows.

In addition, in alternating electric current there is a division into two more types:

• single phase
• three phase

For a single-phase, a conductor that will conduct voltage and a return conductor are needed. And if we consider a three-phase current generator, it generates an alternating voltage with a frequency of 50 Hz on all three windings. A three-phase system is nothing but three single-phase electrical circuitphase shifted relative to each other at an angle of 120 degrees. By using it, you can simultaneously provide energy three independent networks, using only six wires that are needed for all conductors: direct and reverse, to conduct voltage.

And if, for example, you have only 4 wires, then there will not be a problem. You will only need to connect the return conductors. By combining them, you get a conductor, which is called neutral. It is usually grounded. And the remaining external conductors are briefly referred to as L1, L2 and L3.

But there is a two-phase one, it is a complex of two single-phase currents, in which there is also a direct conductor for conducting voltage and a reverse, they are 90 degrees out of phase relative to each other.

Application

Due to the fact that the constant flows only in one direction, its use is usually limited to carriers with low energy consumption, for example, it can be found in ordinary batteries, batteries for electrical appliances with low energy consumption, such as flashlights or telephones and batteries that use solar energy. But a constant source is necessary not only for charging small batteries, so a constant current of high power is used to work on electrified railways, in the electrolysis of aluminum or in electric arc welding, as well as others industrial processes.

To generate direct current of such a force, special generators are used. It can also be obtained by converting a variable, for this a device is used in which an electronic lamp is used, it is called a kenotron rectifier, and the process itself is referred to as rectification. For this, a half-wave rectifier is used. In it, unlike a simple tube rectifier, are electronic lampswhich have two anodes - two-anode kenotrons.

If you do not know how to determine from which pole direct current flows, remember: it always flows from the “+” sign to the “-“ sign. The first direct current sources were special chemical elements, they are called galvanic. Later, people invented batteries.

The variable is applied almost everywhere, in everyday life, for the operation of household electrical appliances powered from a home outlet, in factories, on construction sites and many other places. Electrification of railways can also be at dc voltage. So, the voltage goes through the contact wire, and the rails are reverse electrical conductor. About half of all railways in our country and the CIS countries work on this principle. But, in addition to electric locomotives working only on a constant and only on an alternating one, there are also electric locomotives combining the ability to work both on one type of electricity and on another.

Alternating current is also used in medicine.

So, for example, darsonvalization is a method of exposure to electricity at high voltage on the external integuments and mucous membranes of the body. By this method blood supply improves in patients, the tone of venous vessels and metabolic processes of the body improves. Darsonvalization can be either local, in a certain area, or general. But more often they use local therapy.

So we learned that there are two kinds electric current: constant and variable, they are called ac and dc in a different way, so if you say one of these abbreviations, they will definitely understand you. In addition, the designation of direct and alternating current in the circuits looks like (-) and (~), which simplifies their recognition. Now, when repairing electrical appliances, you will no doubt say that they use alternating voltage, and if you are asked what current is in the batteries, you will answer that it is constant.

Today, if you look around, almost everything you see is powered by electricity in one form or another.
Alternating current and direct current are the two main forms of charges that feed our electric and electronic world.

What is AC? Alternating current can be defined as the flow of an electric charge that changes direction at regular intervals.

The period / regular intervals at which AC changes direction is its frequency (Hz). Marine vehicles, spacecraft, and military equipment sometimes use 400 Hz AC. However, for most of the time, including internal use, the AC frequency is set to 50 or 60 Hz.

What is DC? (Symbol for electrical appliances) D.C is a current (a stream of electric charge or electrons) that flows in only one direction. Subsequently, there is no frequency associated with DC. DC or direct current has a zero frequency.
Sources of AC and DC:

AC: Power plants and alternators produce alternating current.

DC: Solar panels, fuel cells, and thermocouples are the main sources for DC production. But the main source of direct current is AC conversion.

Application of alternating and direct current:

AC is used to power refrigerators, home fireplaces, fans, electric motors, air conditioners, televisions, food processors, washing machines, and almost all industrial equipment.

DC is mainly used to power electronics and other digital technology. Smartphones, tablets, electric cars, etc .. LED and LCD TVs also run on DC, which converts from ordinary AC power.

Why AC is used to transmit electricity. It is cheaper and easier to manufacture. AC at high voltage can be transported for hundreds of kilometers without much power loss. Power plants and transformers reduce the voltage to (110 or 230 V) for transmission to our homes.

What is more dangerous? AC or DC?
It is believed that DC is less dangerous than AC, but there is no conclusive evidence. There is a misconception that contact with high AC voltage is more dangerous than with low DC voltage. In fact, this is not about voltage, it's about the sum of the current passing through the human body. Direct and alternating current can be fatal. Do not insert fingers or objects into outlets or gadgets or high power equipment.

Hearing the music of this group at least once, it is impossible to forget or confuse it with something else. Amazing sound, frantic energy, unforgettable vocals - this is all “AC / DC”, a cult rock band from Australia, which has become a true legend of heavy metal and hard rock. It is amazing that the band continues to exist since 1971, and at the end of the summer of 2015, musicians who have long exceeded 60 gathered in a big tour in Canada and the USA, which proves that it’s too early to write off this amazing rock band, and they can still "set the heat."

The formation of a rock legend

William and Margaret Young, the Native Scots who moved to Australia in 1963, had nine children, including three sons - George, Malcolm and Agnus. Surprisingly, they were all extremely talented musically. The first brother involved in rock music was the eldest, George. He and his friends founded Easybeats, a teenage rock band, which brought the younger Yangs' attention to music. Malcolm, and then Agnus, picking up the guitar, discovered real talent, learning with record speed.

After several unsuccessful attempts to participate in musical groups, the idea came to Malcolm Young to create his own group, and his younger brother Agnus enthusiastically supports this idea. The brothers found the vocalist Dave Evans by an announcement in the newspaper, and acquaintances of the young Yangs were invited to drums and bass.

Future rock legends came up with the name of their group, or rather, found it rather quickly: the inscription “AC / DC”, which means “alternating direct current”, was often placed on household appliances, like a vacuum cleaner or an electric sewing machine, where my sister saw her Young brothers, Margaret. This name seemed original to friends, sonorous and very apt, and was unanimously adopted by all members of the group.

Since Malcolm and Agnus approached the creation of the group very seriously, they decided to come up with some kind of original stage image. And here they were again helped by Margaret, who, like the parents of young people, very much supported them in organizing their own musical collective. She came up with the original "highlight" of the group: to perform in school uniforms. Thanks to this fateful idea, Angus Young is recognized by his short school pants, a tie and a funny cap, which he always dresses in at the group’s concerts to this day.

The group held its debut performance on the last day of 1973, and the Checkers bar was chosen as the place where the quintet played for the first time. From that moment, a hard rock band began to exist, which was destined to become a world legend and gain a huge number of fans and followers.

Career: Finds and Losses

In 1974, the group underwent numerous changes, several drummers and bass players were replaced. And the most important and fateful replacement of that time in “AC / DC” was the change of vocalist. Dave Evans refused to go on stage at one of the performances, something had to be done urgently, and then the group's driver Bon Scott offered his candidacy, who, by a lucky chance, appeared at the right place at the right time. After the performance, Bon was taken to the team on an ongoing basis. The real name of the new vocalist was Ronald Belford Scott, and he turned out to be an unusually charismatic and energetic young man, besides, endowed with extraordinary musical talent and vocal data. With him, the affairs of the group quickly went uphill. Later, the British magazine “Classic Rock” will put it in first place in the ranking of “100 greatest frontmen of all time.”

The band writes some pretty successful songs and in 1975 released their first album, High Voltage. The album, although it did not take the leading places, nevertheless, was a good application for popularity. In the same year, AC / DC released their second album, titled T.N.T., which means trinitrotoluene. This album was a considerable success, but, like the first, was officially released only in Australia. World fame was yet to come.

The group members understand that in order to truly “spread their wings” they need to expand the boundaries of their influence. They are actively working in this direction, and soon sign an international contract with Atlantic Records, which allows AC / DC to finally break out of Australia. They begin to conquer the scenes of Great Britain and Europe with old hits, nevertheless, not forgetting about new ones: in 1976 Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap was released - the third disc of the group, which had quite good success. After that, the members of the group decide to move to the UK. They actively perform, communicate with the media and fans, gradually gaining more and more popularity.

Work is in full swing. One by one, the albums Let There Be Rock (1977), Powerage (1978), Highway to Hell (1979) are released. The latter raises AC / DC to the peak of popularity and to the top of the world charts. Most of the songs on this album are absolute hits to this day, rightfully considered one of the best songs in the history of world rock. It seems that nothing can overshadow the frenzied success of young energetic performers ... As it turned out, this was not so.

February 19, 1980 a terrible tragedy occurs - the band’s vocalist, the brilliant Bon Scott, suddenly dies. According to the official version, this was due to alcohol abuse. The group is just crushed.

Having lost their “voice”, “AC / DC” think about ending their career, but decide to keep the team, believing that a cheerful Bon Scott would like this. Friends get to their feet after the shock, and after a few auditions, they find an unusually talented vocalist - Brian Johnson. The rock band seems to have a second wind and they begin to work tirelessly.

In the same year, the legendary album "Back in Black" was released, the cover of which was decided to make black in memory of the former soloist and faithful friend. The album was a dizzying success, subsequently it will become the best-selling album in the history of the group and will be awarded the status of “double diamond”.

The following years, the rock band has been very productive. With a magnificent "golden line-up" (Malcolm and Agnus Young, Cliff Williams (guitar, bass), Brian Johnson (vocals), Phil Rudd (drums)) they write and play their best hits, record a huge number of albums, perform at concerts on all over the world, win prestigious music awards.

In 2003, the legendary group was listed in the "Hall of Fame", also took the honorable 5th place in the United States in the number of albums sold in history. In the homeland of the group, in Australia, a street was named after them.

The inexhaustible energy of the group, which, despite its "solid age", does not cease to delight fans, is admiring. AC / DC released beautiful albums (2008 and 2014), which fans of their work greeted with glee and sold out in huge numbers.

And neither Malcolm Young’s illness, which was forced to leave the group in 2014, nor minor problems with Phil Rudd’s law, could break the spirit of the legendary AC / DC. These are the real rockers who will undoubtedly surprise their fans more than once by rubbing their nose to many young bands.

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