Why is the transmission of electrical power via AC more efficient then the transmission via DC? Basically, why did Edison‘s model lose to Teslas superior model. Thanks
It has become more practical to convert high voltage DC to AC as semiconductors improve. For the same power, a lower voltage DC line will be needed than the higher RMS AC voltage. Any time you can lower a transmission voltage, you get lower loss doe to lower corona discharge. In Tesla;s time, transformers for 3 phase AC were much easier to build than rotary DC converters, It is still much more difficult to build a DC to AC converter and match the 99+% conversion efficiency of a transformer. The equipment corrosion is also more intense using DC voltages. DC also induces much less current into nearby conductors like power transmission towers. Phase correction (matching the phase of the voltage to the phase of the current is also not a problem with DC.) There is an initial spike when the line is energized or when it is interrupted that has to be considered with DC.
