In the late 19th century, a fierce battle known as the 'War of the Currents' raged between the inventors and supporters of two pioneering electrical systems: AC current (alternating) and DC current (direct). Despite a heavy propaganda campaign by DC current system inventor Thomas Edison to discredit AC, where he even used animals to demonstrate the "danger of the current," the use of it became increasingly favoured. AC's ability to transmit power efficiently over long distances, combined with successful demonstrations, led to its prominence over DC and revolutionised how we power our world. But more than a century later, a surprising shift puts DC current back in the spotlight.
What is AC & DC current?
DC current debuted in 1800 due to Alessandro Volta's pioneering invention of the voltaic stack, the first chemical battery. This innovation provided a constant and reliable current, perfect for batteries and devices needing constant voltage. In 1882, Thomas Edison used DC current to create the first commercial power distribution system. However, DC current had a major disadvantage: it was inefficient for transmitting electricity over long distances because of significant power losses. This limitation opened the door for developing AC current by Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse. Unlike DC current, AC changes direction several times a second, allowing it to be easily converted to different voltages using transformers and making AC much more efficient for transmission over long distances, as higher voltages significantly reduce power loss.
The War of the Currents
Before the energy landscape changed forever, an intense battle over electricity's future was marked by public smear campaigns and shocking tactics. Thomas Edison, a firm supporter of DC current, went to great lengths to discredit AC current, supported by Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse. To spread fear, Edison even gave horrific demonstrations in public in which he electrocuted animals, including an elephant, with AC current. The purpose of this was to show that AC current was dangerous. He even supported the development of the electric chair, designed to use AC current, to further associate it with death.
While Edison resorted to obscure strategies, Tesla and Westinghouse promoted AC current by highlighting its efficiency and safety. They demonstrated its potential at events such as the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, where they lit the entire fair grounds with AC current and demonstrated its superiority over DC current for long-distance transmission. They also emphasised the economic advantages and addressed safety issues to contradict Edison's story. Ultimately, their focus on innovation and practical advantages ensured that AC current became the standard for electric power, overcoming Edison's aggressive tactics and shaping the future of electricity.
Where is AC or DC current used?
Today, AC and DC currents are used in various applications based on their unique advantages. AC current is the standard for power distribution across the grid, efficiently transmitting electricity over long distances. It powers most household appliances, lighting, and heating systems. On the other hand, DC current is essential in applications that require stable and consistent voltage, such as batteries, solar panels, electric vehicles, and electronic devices like smartphones, laptops, and LED lighting. DC current is also gaining importance in renewable energy systems, which store and convert energy efficiently. While AC current remains the backbone of our electrical infrastructure, DC current plays a crucial role in portable electronics, renewable energy, and emerging technologies.
The future of AC and DC current
Recently, Elon Musk posted on Platform X about DC current:
Nikola Tesla was great, and AC was the right move back then. These days, with the proliferation of electronics that use DC and advanced power electronics, it would be better to use DC. High-voltage DC is also materially more efficient for long-distance electricity transmission.
The future of DC current seems incredibly promising, driven by its growing application in multiple sectors. Unlike AC current, DC current is becoming essential in the era of rapid technological progress and energy efficiency. Electric vehicles are leading this development, with fast DC charging stations becoming the norm for public infrastructure because of their superior efficiency and speed. This will only increase as the use of electric vehicles grows worldwide.
Moreover, DC is proving to be a game-changer in integrating renewable energy. High-voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems efficiently transport energy from remote renewable sources, such as offshore wind farms and solar panels, over long distances to urban centres. This not only reduces energy losses but also supports the growing need for renewable energy solutions.
In consumer electronics, the trend towards DC-powered devices such as LEDs, solar panels and computers further underscores the shift from AC to DC, as minimising energy loss during AC-to-DC conversion becomes increasingly crucial. Moreover, the industrial sector is seeing an increase in the use of DC motors, especially in automotive, aerospace and manufacturing applications, predicting significant market growth over the next decade. As these trends continue, DC current is poised to become a cornerstone of the future energy landscape by providing a more efficient, reliable and scalable solution for various applications.
inepro metering has both AC electricity meters and DC electricity meters available. If you have questions or would like more information about AC and DC metering, please feel free to contact us.
