Comparison Between AC and DC Transmissions can be made in the following ways.
| S.no |
AC Transmission
|
DC Transmission
|
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Requires three conductors for transmission and hence requires more copper material. | Requires two conductors for transmission and hence requires less copper material. |
| 2 | Inductance, capacitance, phase displacement and surge problems exist. |
No such problems exist. |
| 3 | Voltage drop in the transmission line is more due to the presence of inductance. | Since no inductance exists, the voltage drop is less. |
| 4 | Poor voltage regulation. | Better voltage regulation. |
| 5 | Skin effect exists | Absence of skin effect |
| 6 | Requires more insulation, as the potential stress on the conductors is more. | Potential stress on the conductor is less and hence requires less insulation. |
| 7 | Corona loss and interference with communication circuits are more. | Less corona loss and reduced interference with communication circuits. |
| 8 | Dielectric loss exists in the system. | Free from dielectric loss in the system. |
| 9 | Stability problems and synchronizing difficulties exist in the system. | DC transmission system is free from these problems. |
| 10 | AC voltage can be stepped up for transmission of power. | DC voltage cannot be stepped up for transmission |
| 11 | Electrical energy can be generated at a high AC voltage. | A commutation problem exists in generating electrical energy at a high DC voltage. |
| 12 | Easy and cheaper to maintain an AC system. | Difficult and costlier to maintain a DC system. |
| 13 | Difficult to construct. | Easier to construct. |
