Can the DC systems be preferred for long-distance transmission of electricity? What are the advantages of DC power? Do the AC systems have more losses than DC systems? The article has the answers to all the mentioned queries.
The two types of electrical systems that are used for the transmission of electrical energy are direct current and alternating current systems. An alternating current (AC) system is the electrical system that reverses its current and voltage in regular intervals of time. It is the most commonly used system. The direct current (DC) systems have only one direction for the flow of electric charges. The direct current (DC) systems have only one direction for the flow of electric charges.
Characteristics of DC power
DC transmission system can transmit more power with lesser energy losses than an equivalent AC transmission system. The frequency matching and synchronizing issues in energy transmission are absent in the case of DC technology.
Direct current technology thus enables renewable energy sources to compete against other non-renewable sources. For smooth flow charges, various reactive compensation techniques are employed in AC transmission systems. But DC power technology can have smoother energy transmission without those loss compensation techniques.
Which one is more preferred? AC or DC ??
AC systems are more preferred than DC systems even though the DC technology has so many features. The following reasons will make you understand it in detail.
- AC systems have a good flexibility of conversion from one level to another. Transformers can be employed for stepping up or stepping down the applied voltage. While in the case of DC, more expensive electrical circuits are required to change its one stage to another.
- The fault detection in AC transmission lines is easier than that with DC systems.
- The maintenance of DC systems is more complex when compared with AC systems.
- AC systems are more economical than DC systems since the entire plant cost is lesser than that of DC systems.
Most of the transmission lines are high voltage three phase AC systems. High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems are preferred over very long distance power transmission due to its good efficiency. It is widely used in submarine power cables and also in the transfer of power between grids due to the absence of frequency problems.
