Is AC or DC better for long distance transmission?

Alternating current is easier to generate and transmitting alternating current leads to lower energy losses than direct current over distances more than a few metres. Although for very long distances (more than 1000 km), direct current can often be better.



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The construction of AC transmission lines is more complicated than the DC transmission lines. AC transmission lines require more conductor material than the DC transmission lines as three wire are required for AC transmission. The effective resistance of the AC transmission line is higher than DC transmission line.

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Current flowing in power lines and normal household electricity that comes from a wall outlet is alternating current. The standard current used in the U.S. is 60 cycles per second (i.e. a frequency of 60 Hz); in Europe and most other parts of the world it is 50 cycles per second (i.e. a frequency of 50 Hz.).

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