Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    amircon's Avatar
    amircon Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Nov 22, 2007, 09:44 AM
    DC Transmission
    What % of electrical energy transmission in USA is DC
    catgita's Avatar
    catgita Posts: 12, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #2

    Nov 22, 2007, 12:52 PM
    Power transmission in the US is essentially all AC. Thomas Edison was an advocate of DC power because he thought it was safer, and liked the idea of lots of small local generators. Westinghouse advocated AC power because it can efficiently be transmitted long distances with minimal loss.

    DC power essentially has to be transmitted at the voltage at which it will be used. The higher the voltage, the lower the resistance to transmission. AC power can be generated at any voltage and stepped up or down as needed efficiently using magnetic transformers. Transformers only work where the voltage, and thus the magnetic field they use to pass energy, is constantly changing, otherwise they simply act as a short circuit.

    About the only place you will see large scale use of DC power is in transportation, such as trolley cars. Even there, the DC substations are located every two miles or so because even at 600 or 1200 volts, it takes very fat and expensive wiring to avoid huge losses.
    Credendovidis's Avatar
    Credendovidis Posts: 1,593, Reputation: 66
    -
     
    #3

    Mar 27, 2008, 03:50 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by amircon
    What % of electrical energy transmission in USA is DC
    As Catgita already indicated : DC can only be used over very short distances.
    Also take into account that many electrical appliances standard to every household can not function on DC.
    In the future DC possibly may return in homes, if fuel cell generators will be used to power individual houses. Of course electrical power suppliers are dead-against such plans...
    ;)

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Transmission ? [ 1 Answers ]

I have Murray riding mower (rear engine), everything works, but the mower will not go in gear, belt is intact. Any thoughts? Thanks

Transmission problems [ 1 Answers ]

Ok I have a 98 ford escort 4 door sohc, Well I recently had the transmission replaced and after it was replaced the main seal keeps leaking,, for no reason. Themechanic has pulled it twice and can't figure it out. After it runs for about 45 min it starts to leak,where the transmission meets the...

Manual Transmission [ 1 Answers ]

94 Honda Prelude will not shift into reverse. No recent modifications. Fluid levels okay

Transmission trouble [ 2 Answers ]

I have an 88 Crown Victoria. The Overdrive quit a few weeks ago as I was going down the road and just acted like it wasn't there anymore, the engine started racing like it went to neutral. Now the transmission shifts rough and am getting less gas mileage as I am using it in Drive. Cut gas...


View more questions Search