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NexusRich

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Is there a reason why the power sockets at our home is AC and not DC , aside from the fact that AC is more efficient at transferring power over long distance ? Would it be not safe to use DC at home or something ?
 

jimmysmith560

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In addition to what you've already mentioned:

DC is very much more difficult (and expensive) to do this with. (To transform DC, electronic circuits are used to generate AC which is then transformed with a transformer and rectified back to DC.)

Other reasons include:
  • DC is more lethal than AC for the same voltage because it's harder to let go of if touched as the voltage does not go through zero. (Muscles contract with constant force with DC).
  • Electrolytic corrosion is more problematic with DC.
  • AC induction motors are simple to make and maintain. DC motors require a commutator and brushes, or complicated electronic switching.

Electric charge in AC periodically changes direction, causing the voltage level to reverse. As a result, AC voltage needs to step up if transmitted over a large distance, but this does not affect the speed of the transition process. Such ease in conversion allows for AC also to appear in electric generators, motors, and power distribution systems. Requiring only a transformer to convert its voltage levels is perhaps the greatest advantage AC has over DC, as direct current may only create magnetic fields, preventing it from working with transformers at all.

Sources:

- Why is alternating current used in homes?
- https://www.electronicproducts.com/...ur-homes-despite-dc-voltage-gaining-traction/
 

Qeru

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Is there a reason why the power sockets at our home is AC and not DC , aside from the fact that AC is more efficient at transferring power over long distance ? Would it be not safe to use DC at home or something ?
The main reason is that you need to use transformers for a bunch of appliances (e.g. if your phone charger didn't have a transformer built into it, it is going to explode if it gets the 230V coming from the plug point). Transformers only work for AC current and not DC so of course AC is preferred.
 

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