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PM_ME_YOUR_WOLOLO t1_j0cuuq8 wrote

Reply to comment by ThePowderhorn in 5 second toaster and kettle by F1NNTORIO

I had to look this up because I didn't remember why either https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Alternating_current#:~:text=Alternating%20current%20(AC)%20is%20the,transmitting%20electricity%20over%20long%20distances. but apparently it's more efficient (less energy loss in most circumstances)

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PsikoticWanderer t1_j0duw2u wrote

I am an electronics engineer. AC current travels long distances on a conductor while losing very little energy. DC current loses energy in the form of heat as it travels on a conductor. Centralized power grids liked we have today based on DC are not possible.

When AC shorts to ground a local thermal event occurs causing localized damage. When DC+ shorts to DC- it heats the whole conductor path from the point of contact back to the source and damages or destroys all conductors in that circuit. In the event of a short AC repairs will be much cheaper.

Google Edison Tesla, they had a years-long feud over AC vs DC power grid. An elephant may have been involved.

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PM_ME_YOUR_WOLOLO t1_j0dv3kp wrote

Thank you for the explanation! Yeah I do recall learning about Edison and Teslas feud over AC vs. DC. I’m a software engineer so this isn’t my wheelhouse at all

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PsikoticWanderer t1_j0e7gap wrote

I do software too. Test dev for an automotive manufacturer so I get to build test stands and program them. Fun stuff.

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Tree-farmer2 t1_j0egvx8 wrote

Didn't DC motors at the time cause sparks and AC solved this?

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