Insights Blog
-- Browse All Articles --
Physics Articles
Physics Tutorials
Physics Guides
Physics FAQ
Math Articles
Math Tutorials
Math Guides
Math FAQ
Education Articles
Education Guides
Bio/Chem Articles
Technology Guides
Computer Science Tutorials
Forums
Trending
Featured Threads
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Menu
Log in
Register
Navigation
More options
Contact us
Close Menu
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Forums
Physics
Classical Physics
Electromagnetism
The historical war of currents in Mains Power Distribution: AC vs DC
Reply to thread
Message
[QUOTE="FranzDiCoccio, post: 6847876, member: 141434"] [B]TL;DR Summary:[/B] I think I understand the basics of why AC prevailed over DC, but I'm not sure how exactly the "basic" argument applies to the current generated by Edison's dynamos So, if I get it right, the basic argument goes like this: AC was preferred to DC because its voltage can be stepped up by a transformer. This limits losses while the current is transported from the production plant to the final user. The voltage is subsequently stepped down when delivered to the user. Of course, this cannot work with a (trivially uniform) direct current. But Edison used dynamos, so I expect that his current was direct in the sense that it always flowed in the same direction, but pulsed, i.e. time dependent. This would not prevent the use of transformers to step up the voltage, transport the current and step it down again, would it? So what was the problem there? Did Edison just refuse the whole high voltage idea, although possible? Or am I wrong on the current generated by Edison's dynamos? I'm thinking something working along the lines of this nice "vintage" [URL='https://www.walter-fendt.de/html5/phen/generator_en.htm']animation by W. Fendt[/URL] (case "with commutator"). Maybe this is too naive, and Edison did actually generate a constant, or almost constant current by using a more complex apparatus? I tried to imagine a dynamo generating a constant direct current. I guess this would be in principle possible with a conducting rod rotating about the axis of an axysimmetric magnetic field. Thanks a lot for any insight Francesco [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Post reply
Forums
Physics
Classical Physics
Electromagnetism
The historical war of currents in Mains Power Distribution: AC vs DC
Back
Top