Advantages of AC Power over DC Power

We certainly have heard the term AC and DC power in everyday life where it is often associated with electricity but we may not know it in depth. If we randomly ask a layman about electricity, the person would probably say it is the power of magic that allows the lights to be turned on as well as makes a personal computer works. And if we ask randomly what is the AC power and DC power, the person may not all be able to answer correctly or perhaps he or she does not want to know about it at all.

Before going further about what is the AC power and DC power, let's go to the introduction first. Basically, there are two main sources of power in our daily lives namely DC power and AC power. Both of them have its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the circumstances and situations. But, did you know that a resource which is used in most of the equipment that we use every day come from which source? DC power or AC power? In fact, most of the equipment that we use daily at homes and offices commonly use AC power electricity as a main power source.

AC stands for alternating current, it is a form of electrical current that flows back and forth direction, unlike direct current (DC), which forms a permanent trend. The usual waveform of an AC current is a sine wave, as it produces a form of the most efficient electricity transmission. However, in certain applications different waveforms are used, such as a triangular waveform or a square wave. Generally, the AC refers to the form of electrical energy that is delivered to homes and businesses. However, audio and radio signals carried by the electrical wires are also examples of alternating current. AC electricity is measured according to its cycles, with one complete cycle being counted each time a given current travels in one direction and then doubles back on itself. An electrical current is able to complete many cycles per second, and is then given its frequency rating based on that number. That is why AC power commonly used in most part of our lives. Hertz is the unit for measuring an electrical cycle. The typical frequency in Malaysia is 50 Hertz (Hz), which indicates that the current is performing 60 cycles per second.

The difference between AC power and DC power

 Most of the electricity consumed and produced use the AC as an energy source because AC offers many advantages over DC. One of them is the AC can be produced at high voltage, but DC cannot be produced at high voltage since the sparking which starts the commutator at high voltage will cause the commutator gets damaged. Besides that, high voltages AC generator are much easier  to use and cheaper than DC generators of the same range. It is because there is no commutator in the AC generator which is costly and contains sensitive part which is prone to damage. AC can be stepped up or stepped down with a static device called transformer. When a voltage is stepped up, the small value of current will be produced. This small current produces less heat and can be transmitted through just a thin conductor. Thus it is possible to transmit AC at high voltages. This reduces the size of conductor, transmission losses and also increases transmission efficiency. At the receiving station, voltages can also be stepped down to the desired value by using step down transformer. This is the most important reason for generating and using AC as electrical energy. In conclusion, whether AC or DC power, both of them are very useful throughout our life. Without them, it is impossible for us to turn on the PC or even light up the bulb.

 

The difference between AC power and DC power system

By: Nik Nur Shaadah Nik Dzulkefli

       Norizan Ahmed