[SGVLUG] Off-topic - ac vs. dc

[Matt Wette]

The reason for using AC is that you can use transformers to hike up the
voltage for long transmission, then bring it back down to safe operating
magnitude for home use.  The high voltage reduces line losses,
the power loss looking like V^2/R.

AC works well for the power companies because you can control flow in a
a network by adjusting phase.

Robert Leyva wrote:
> I am not an expert, but I believe people chose alternating current over
> direct current back-in-the-day was that transformers could be used to
> adjust  current and voltage easily with the technology back then....
> 
> After all, a transformer is basically low-tech in my opinion : a set of
> coils.
> 
>> On Wed, Feb 21, 2007 at 12:02:49PM -0800, Emerson, Tom (*IC) wrote:
>> ...
>>> -----Original Message----- Of David Lawyer
>>>> On Tue, Feb 20, 2007 at 10:56:18AM -0800, Emerson, Tom (*IC) wrote:
>>>>> After all, consider "AC", ...
>>>>> -- this is the biggest "scam" of them all[...]
>>>>> current flow changes, which means that the power company is selling
>>>>> you THE EXACT SAME ELECTRON OVER AND OVER AGAIN ;)
>> [snip]
>> 			David Lawyer
>>
> 
>