Why Most Appliances Require Alternating Current

[jeff1evesque]

I understand the basic difference between "direct current" and "alternating current", but can someone explain to me why most appliances require the use of alternating current (that is why power plants emit AC to our outlets) instead of direct current? I mean it makes sense if appliances have motors in them, that AC would be beneficial, but not all appliances have motors in them (and some motors can have built-in commutators). So why do we prefer AC?

Thanks,


JL

 

[mgb_phys]

So why do we prefer AC?

It's easier to change voltages (because of transformers) so it's more efficient to transmit.
Heating appliances don't really care if it's AC or DC.
For appliances that need dc it's easier for them to convert an AC voltage into the potential they need and then make that DC than than convert one DC voltage to another.

 

[Chrisas]

There is some interesting history behind this too. See

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_Currents

if interested.

 

[jeff1evesque]

Thanks for the help, and to go along with mgb_phys, I read briefly from the following web-page: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/magnetic/transf.html#c2.

Thanks a lot,Jeff