Comparison Between AC and DC Transmissions

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.
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Vinodh Reddy is a Mechanical Engineer and Editor-in-chief of ME Mechanical. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree in Mechanical Engineering. He also blogs at EduGeneral. He is interested in the farming field.

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