Yes they do alternate, that's why it is called AC - alternating current.
(finally get to use the dead horse graphic)
110V has a hot and neutral, carrying the full amperage (9 amps) first down the hot (black) then opposite on the neutral (white), alternating 60 times a second, hence 60 hertz.
240 has two hots (blacks) with the voltage pushing 4.5 amps down one, then the other, 60 times a second. That's why the meter sees it on both. The meter measures an RMS value, if it could sample faster than 60 hz (and your eye could perceive faster than 60 times per second), you would see the amps rise and fall on each leg. Don't always believe what you see. If this was not the case than any electro magnetic device (ie motor, wall wart adapter, anything with a transformer) would not function. These devices rely on the rise and collapse of the magnetic field to induce current in secondary windings (transformer) or use the magnetic force to drive a shaft (motor).
Learn the theory, understand ohm's law, then give advice before you get someone killed.
Forget the meter. It only tells half the story.
Once again, volts and amps are inversely proportionate, as in when one rises, the other falls like a see saw. P (power in watts) = I (current in amps) X E (voltage in volts).
This is basic electrical fact. Look it up. Alternating current.
(finally get to use the dead horse graphic)
110V has a hot and neutral, carrying the full amperage (9 amps) first down the hot (black) then opposite on the neutral (white), alternating 60 times a second, hence 60 hertz.
240 has two hots (blacks) with the voltage pushing 4.5 amps down one, then the other, 60 times a second. That's why the meter sees it on both. The meter measures an RMS value, if it could sample faster than 60 hz (and your eye could perceive faster than 60 times per second), you would see the amps rise and fall on each leg. Don't always believe what you see. If this was not the case than any electro magnetic device (ie motor, wall wart adapter, anything with a transformer) would not function. These devices rely on the rise and collapse of the magnetic field to induce current in secondary windings (transformer) or use the magnetic force to drive a shaft (motor).
Learn the theory, understand ohm's law, then give advice before you get someone killed.
Forget the meter. It only tells half the story.
Once again, volts and amps are inversely proportionate, as in when one rises, the other falls like a see saw. P (power in watts) = I (current in amps) X E (voltage in volts).
This is basic electrical fact. Look it up. Alternating current.
Last edited: