What is the output of an AC generator measured in cycles per second called?

The term used to describe the output of an AC generator measured in cycles per second is frequency. This measurement indicates how many complete cycles of alternating current occur in one second and is expressed in hertz (Hz). For example, a frequency of 60 Hz means that 60 complete cycles of AC occur every second.

Understanding frequency is essential in electrical systems, as it relates directly to the performance and operation of AC generators and motors, as well as influencing the design and functionality of electrical equipment. For instance, in residential and commercial power systems, the standard frequency is typically 60 Hz in North America, while some other countries use 50 Hz.

Other terms related to electrical concepts, such as voltage, amplitude, and wavelength, refer to different characteristics of AC signals. Voltage refers to the potential difference that drives current through a circuit, amplitude indicates the maximum value of voltage or current in a cycle, and wavelength is a measure of the distance over which the wave's shape repeats. Each of these plays a significant role in AC circuits but does not describe the rate of cycles produced by the generator itself.