AC vs DC current Tesla vs Edison

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the superiority of alternating current (AC) over direct current (DC) for long-distance electrical transmission, primarily due to the ability of AC to be transformed to higher voltages using transformers. Nikola Tesla developed the AC system, which was commercialized by George Westinghouse, while Thomas Edison championed the DC system. The inability of DC to be stepped up or down in voltage efficiently is attributed to its constant nature, which prevents the use of transformers, making AC the preferred choice for power distribution.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrical engineering concepts, specifically AC and DC current.
  • Familiarity with transformer operation and voltage transformation.
  • Knowledge of electrical transmission systems and their efficiency.
  • Basic principles of electromagnetism related to alternating current.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of AC and DC current in electrical engineering.
  • Learn about transformer design and operation for voltage conversion.
  • Explore the historical context of the AC vs. DC debate, including key figures like Tesla and Edison.
  • Investigate modern advancements in DC transmission technologies, such as High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems.
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineers, students of electrical engineering, and professionals involved in power generation and distribution will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the historical and technical aspects of AC and DC systems.

shanktank
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hey all, another quick question for ya

The modern system for transmission of electric energy using alternating current (AC) originated with an inventor named Nikola Tesla. An American entrepreneur, George Westinghouse, bought the rights to Tesla's system and managed to convince consumers that the system was much better than a rival DC system devised by Thomas Edison. Explain why a DC system cannot use an efficient stepped up voltage for long distance transmission.



ok so i know AC replaced DC with most generation and power distribution and that the wires are cheaper and thinner, and that AC can be stepped up to high voltages using transformers and then stepped down again... but what's the reason the DC system can't?
 
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shanktank said:
ok so i know AC replaced DC with most generation and power distribution and that the wires are cheaper and thinner, and that AC can be stepped up to high voltages using transformers and then stepped down again... but what's the reason the DC system can't?
You have just made the financial case for AC. Can you figure out why DC voltage potentials cannot be manipulated like AC?
 
because its a direct current? lol
 
shanktank said:
because its a direct current? lol
If you have AC, you can run it through the primary coil of a step-up transformer, extract the resulting flow from the overwound secondary coil and feed it to a transmission line that does not have to be particularly beefy. You can reverse this process at the transformer feeding your house and result in a 240-260V excursion in the AC, and then reference that center-tap to ground to give two "legs" at your breaker panel that can give you about 125v excursion around ground. How could you propose do do something similar with a DC system? Can you imagine an affordable system to accomplish this with DC transmission (esp. over long distances!)?
 
still not gettin why the dc can't do this?
 
coz DC can't be stepped up or down like AC. u step up AC coz at high voltages and low currents, losses are minimized.
can you think of some way of stepping up DC??
a transformer works bcoz of the alternating nature of AC!
 
so is dc just a steady current then?
 
yes it is, and that is why it is called direct.
alternating current can be altered using transformers and stuff but not DC, I suppose "it is not in its nature...":biggrin:
 

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