A pulsating direct current is a direct current (dc) that changes in value at regular or irregular intervals.
A pulsating direct current may change in value, i.e., be always present but at different levels, or it may be a current that is interrupted completely at irregular or regular intervals (at specific frequency), but when present, is always in the same direction.
Pulsating currents are commonly created by using diode rectifiers or by DC sources connected in series with AC sources (where the amplitude of AC ≤ DC).
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