Why Is Alternating Current Preferred for Long-Distance Power Transmission?

AI Thread Summary
Alternating current (AC) is preferred for long-distance power transmission primarily because transformers can efficiently convert AC voltage to high voltage, minimizing power loss in transmission lines. High voltage reduces the current required for the same power output, which significantly decreases I²R losses. Additionally, transformers allow for stepping down the high voltage to safer levels for residential use. While direct current (DC) can also be used for long distances, AC's advantages in voltage transformation and loss reduction make it the more common choice. Overall, the ability to manage voltage levels effectively is crucial for efficient power distribution.
Jadaav
Messages
175
Reaction score
1
Why is an alternating current used for long distance transmission of electrical power ?

What about direct current ?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
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.
 

Thread 'Average velocity as a weighted mean'

Hello everyone, Consider the problem in which a car is told to travel at 30 km/h for L kilometers and then at 60 km/h for another L kilometers. Next, you are asked to determine the average speed. My question is: although we know that the average speed in this case is the harmonic mean of the two speeds, is it also possible to state that the average speed over this 2L-kilometer stretch can be obtained as a weighted average of the two speeds? Best regards, DaTario
View full post »

Thread '1:1 versus 2:1 Mechanical Advantage debate'

The rope is tied into the person (the load of 200 pounds) and the rope goes up from the person to a fixed pulley and back down to his hands. He hauls the rope to suspend himself in the air. What is the mechanical advantage of the system? The person will indeed only have to lift half of his body weight (roughly 100 pounds) because he now lessened the load by that same amount. This APPEARS to be a 2:1 because he can hold himself with half the force, but my question is: is that mechanical...
View full post »

Thread 'Newton's first law?'

Some physics textbook writer told me that Newton's first law applies only on bodies that feel no interactions at all. He said that if a body is on rest or moves in constant velocity, there is no external force acting on it. But I have heard another form of the law that says the net force acting on a body must be zero. This means there is interactions involved after all. So which one is correct?
View full post »

Similar threads

Power waste (conceptual doubt)
Replies
4
Views
1K
Sound transmission underwater -- looking for equations TX --> Rx
Replies
18
Views
3K
Power Loss in Transmission Lines: AC vs DC Comparison Explained with a Model
2
Replies
50
Views
12K
Long distance electrical transmission efficiency
Replies
2
Views
2K
Can Adding Alternators to Car Wheels Save Energy?
Replies
10
Views
2K
Propagation speed and LC model of transmission line
Replies
21
Views
2K
Power transmission via Transformer.
Replies
2
Views
1K
What Is the Ground in a Power Plant Schematic?
Replies
5
Views
2K
I RF Power Transfer: Halbach vs. Dipole
Replies
12
Views
1K
How transmission lines deliver (established?) power from generator
Replies
8
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top