What is the speed of electricity?

Electricity is obtained as a result of the transformation of primary energy. It can be wind, water, heat... Depending on the method used, two types of electrical currents are sent to consumers. They move at a speed that varies according to several elements. SirEnergies brings you all the information on different types of currents And on The speed of electricity.

How does electrical current travel?

The production of Electricity makes it possible to obtain direct current and alternating current. Both are used every day, but they have different characteristics and uses.

In a direct current, electrons, also called charge carriers, move in the same direction. They all go from the negative terminal to the positive terminal.

When it comes to alternating current, they flow in both directions. A back and forth movement is therefore carried out over a distance of one thousandth of a millimeter. This singular movement allows the energy to gradually bounce back and reach the end of the conductor.

Direct current is produced by batteries, Batteries, solar panels or any type of electronic or electrochemical generators.

Alternating current, on the other hand, comes from power plants that work with an alternator. It is equipped with a Rotor that rotates on itself. It is this device that gives electrons their sine wave motion (zigzag motion). This type of current is the one that is used in homes for heating, lighting, etc.

As for direct current, it is it that makes it possible to operate flashlights, computers, electric cars...

How do you calculate the speed of an electric current?

The speed of electricity takes into account the speed of the electrical signal and the speed of the electrical charges. These speeds vary according to the conducting material, the type of current and its intensity which Measured in amperes (A).

The speed of the electrical signal

The speed of the electrical signal is the speed at which charge carriers are activated along a conducting wire. It corresponds to the time that an electric wave takes to reach a device that it must power. She is also Called information speed or speed of propagation of electricity.

It is very fast and depends on the permeability and dielectric permittivity of the conducting material. When it is in saline water, electricity thus moves at a speed of about 226,000 km per second.

In a vacuum, it evolves at the speed of light and is nearly 300,000 km per second. When it flows through copper wire, it can reach 273,000 km per second. Finally, its speed is between 175,000 and 200,000 km per second in a plastically-insulated circuit.

The speed of movement of electrical charges or electrons

Electrical charges move very slowly. The speed at which they propagate varies according to the intensity of the current present in the circuit.

In an alternating current, electrons thus move by barely a few hundredths of a millimeter per second. The frequency of this type of current is generally between 50 and 60 Hz. So charge carriers go back and forth 50 or 60 times per second for a tiny distance, giving the impression that they are hardly moving.

Studies and calculations have shown that in an electrical system where the current strength is 1 A, they travel 40 cm per hour.

On the other hand, in a direct current, the speed of the electrons is slightly higher, because they make several meters per second. In an electron tube, also called a vacuum tube or lamp, the speed of movement is often 15 km per second.

Electron movement process

The charge carriers follow a given cycle. For this to happen, the circuit must remain open for a sufficiently long time. For example, when you turn on a lamp, a stream of electrons leaves the generator. This electrical charge then goes through the lead wire, the switch, the light bulb and Go back to the generator again.

Because of their slow movement, The electron that held the charge who sent the electrical signal never meets her. The light that comes out instantly as soon as you flip a switch does not come from the movement of electrons. For many people, it is the link that left the electric button that turns on the lamp, which is not the case.

The electrical wire is full of charge carriers from the switch to the light bulb. As soon as you press the button, they all start moving. The one at the end of the switch sends the signal that passes through each of the electrons present along the wire.

In a fraction of a second, it reaches the link at the end of the lamp filament and Create the light. The charge carriers who sent the information will arrive at the lightbulb hours later.

To go further, feel free to read our two related topics:

• Can electricity be replaced?
• Can electricity be stored?

Did you know that?

Today, more than ever, electric mobility is one of the levers for achieving carbon neutrality. As such, businesses have a role to play in the energy transition.
You want to install charging stations and/or convert your company's vehicle fleet to electric? SirEnergies is there to help you and supports you in building an eco-responsible image for your business.
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