Re: History of AC vs DC Power

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Article #4727

#4727

From: John Hagerman
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 18:12

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In article <1992Nov11.154425.8399@speedy.aero.org> steve@pepe.aero.org (Steve Sedlacek) writes:

> Why is our power system completely AC?

Simple answer:

(1) Efficient transmission requires high voltages, safe use requires
low voltages; transformers were by far the easiest and most efficient
way to convert.  (Wood is still used in their construction!)

(2) Tesla invented the induction motor: high efficiency and long life
implied money for the maker.  Westinghouse was the maker, and its size
allowed it to exert a large influence on the power industry.

- John
--
hagerman@ece.cmu.edu

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From: hagerman@ece.cmu.edu (John Hagerman)
Subject: Re: History of AC vs DC Power
In-Reply-To: steve@pepe.aero.org's message of Wed, 11 Nov 1992 15:44:25 GMT
Message-ID: <HAGERMAN.92Nov11131243@rx7.ece.cmu.edu>
Sender: news@fs7.ece.cmu.edu (USENET News System)
Organization: Carnegie Mellon University
References: <1992Nov11.154425.8399@speedy.aero.org>
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 18:12:43 GMT
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