[SGVLUG] Off-topic - ac vs. dc

[Matt Wette]

I got the math wrong but the reason is correct, I believe.
Higher voltage reduces line losses.

Matt Wette wrote:
> 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
>>>
>>
>>
>