AC and DC power has been in a battle of which is really superior. It has only been in very recent years that the two were finally brought together. Now many homes may be powered with either AC or DC. For the many people who haven’t spent their time reading about the world of electricity or power, if you are ever wondered which type of power system you have, Burley Electrical Services will explain the difference between these two types of power.
Who Invented AC & DC Current?
In early electrical American history, Thomas Edison’s first electrical power system used only one direction of currents. Where the discovery of power currents lighted America, there was still some issues. The power supply only ran in a single direction which prevented or couldn’t easily convert low voltage to high voltage for the various electrical needs. Due to this problem, shortly after the discovery of the DC current, Nikola Tesla created the AC current. AC current changes direction 60 times every second which allow an easier conversion to high or low voltage. However, the discovery sparked a debate as to which form of power was better AC or DC. In early American history, the AC power won the debate and a man named George Westinghouse partnered with Nikola Tesla and many American homes were using AC. Nonetheless, the DC hasn’t faded and during the past year, it has made a comeback. Some have wondered why that is.
Difference Between AC, DC & AC/DC
Both AC and DC provides power or electricity and most of us don’t fully concern ourselves as to how the power gets delivered. Most don’t realize that both AC and DC currents are being used in their home.
AC: AC currents are most often used in homes or commercial buildings because of how the power is able to flow or redirect in different directions. Additionally, they can change from a high voltage to a low voltage in places that require constant but differing power needs. Most items such as the HVAC system, appliances, both small and large, and all large electrical devices mostly use AC power which aids transformers.
DC: Most items that use batteries such as cell phones, tablets, and any other chargeable devices use DC power. The steady and smooth electrical current design benefits battery or chargeable devices. Often DC currents are directed to positive and negative terminals.
AC/DC: Homes and even vehicles are using a combination AC/DC. AC/DC power is in the form of power cables that are often seen on laptops where the power cord has an adapter box in the plug. Since laptops can use both direct power as well as a battery, it benefits from both AC and DC power currents. There may be more uses for AC/DC power uses throughout the home. As of now, most homes are out fitted with AC power.
Electrical Wiring & More in Pompano Beach, Oakland Park, Plantation, Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, Davie, Fort Lauderdale & South Florida
Both AC and DC power can be found throughout your home and while each item varies on power needs, we may find both for quite some time. On the other hand, we even might begin to find more combined AC/DC power uses in the home or business. Burley Electrical Services hopes you have found the uses and history of AC and DC power that we use every day informative. For all of your electrical needs, contact Burley Electrical Services.
