AC and DC
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Summary
Appliances often have markings such as "240V AC" or "12V DC". This page explains the difference between AC and DC and why it matters.
Main section
An electric current consists of a flow of electrical charge around a closed path or "circuit" and so has a definite direction.
A battery or a solar cell creates a positive charge at one terminal and a negative at the other, amounting to a certain voltage (electrical pressure). This is more or less constant until the battery runs down (or the sun goes in) and is called Direct Current, or simply DC.
DC is what nearly all electronic equipment needs inside; whether you're trying to play a CD or browse the Internet on your computer, the electronics needs a constant and unvarying source of power in order to do its job. Imagine trying to drive a car if the engine kept cutting out
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