What is current called that flows in pulses in the same direction?

Pulsating DC is characterized by a flow of electrical current that moves in one direction but varies in magnitude over time, creating a pulsed waveform. This type of current is typically found in applications such as power supply circuits where rectification processes convert alternating current (AC) into a form of direct current (DC). During this rectification process, the output may have peaks and troughs, resulting in the current appearing as a series of pulses rather than a smooth, continuous flow.

In contrast, alternating current changes direction periodically, while direct current flows steadily in one direction without variation in magnitude. Ripple current refers to the small, unintended fluctuating component of the DC voltage or current that can exist due to incomplete filtering of rectified AC. However, this is not specifically what is defined as current flowing in pulses in the same direction. The use of the term "pulsating DC" accurately encapsulates the nature of this current flow.