Note that no distinction is made between a DC or AC source, the labels V and I can therefore both refer to the DC or RMS values. The following Figure 3 illustrates how a voltage source is usually drawn in a circuit diagram and its related voltage/current characteristic. This definition is both valid for DC or AC voltage sources, in the AC case, it is the RMS value that is kept constant. One of the most common types is certainly the lithium-ion battery which function schematic is presented in Figure 2 below: fig 2: Charging/discharging functioning of a Li-ion battery Ideal voltage sourcesĪn ideal voltage source is an element that can supply a constant value of voltage regardless of the current flowing through the output load. On the other hand, batteries convert chemical energy into a DC signal thanks to a reduction-oxidation reaction. fig 1: Architecture and functioning of an alternator The most common voltage sources are alternators and batteries.Īlternators convert energy by mechanical rotation to produce an AC signal and their functioning, thanks to the electromagnetic induction phenomenon is explained in the Sinusoidal Waveforms tutorial. Presentation AlternatorsĪ voltage source is an electric generator, and it produces an electromotive force from a different form of energy. Moreover, we establish some connection rules to be followed in order to properly implement voltage sources in a circuit.ĭependent sources are detailed in a third section where we will see that some voltage sources can be controlled by a voltage or current input. We first present the base concept which is the ideal voltage source and an introduction to the alternators and batteries is given since they represent the most common types of AC/DC voltage sources.įurther, we highlight that these elements, like their names, suggest it, are ideal and therefore not found in real circuits, this is why we introduce and discuss the real voltage sources. In this tutorial, we present in detail the architecture, functioning, and use of an important electronic element known as the voltage source.

Icircuit dependent voltage source