A.C for power transmission

Jadaav

Why is an alternating current used for long distance transmission of electrical power ?

What about direct current ?

Emilyjoint

It is because transformers can be used to transform AC voltage to high voltage to reduce power loss in connecting cables. High voltage means less current for the same power and therefore with highg voltage I^2r losses are reduced.
Transformers can then be used to step down the high voltage to safer values for domestic use.

mathman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electri...direct_current

Above describes the use of direct current in long distance.

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Jadaav	A.C for power transmission Why is an alternating current used for long distance transmission of electrical power ? What about direct current ?

Emilyjoint	It is because transformers can be used to transform AC voltage to high voltage to reduce power loss in connecting cables. High voltage means less current for the same power and therefore with highg voltage I^2r losses are reduced. Transformers can then be used to step down the high voltage to safer values for domestic use.

mathman Recognitions: Science Advisor	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electri...direct_current Above describes the use of direct current in long distance.