In the AC system, voltage and current change their polarity and magnitude at a specific interval of time; the AC system is widely used because of its advantages.
This article will discuss the Ac circuit vs DC circuit, the advantages of AC over DC, etc.
Why is AC used over DC?
The use of DC is very much limited to some devices; for more significant scale generation, distribution, transmission, etc., AC is adopted. AC has been in use for ages.
Advantages of AC over DC:ong>
ACDCAC can be stepped down or stepped up easily using the various methods or by using Transformer as Transformer works for AC properly. Ac can be easily scaled to the desired level with very low energy loss. | DC cannot be stepped down or Step Up easily as the Transformer does not work appropriately with DC. |
AC generation costs less than that of DC generation | Generation of DC is costlier than that of AC generation |
AC can be converted easily into DC using a rectifier, filter, etc. | DC to AC converter is complicated. |
AC devices or the motor which uses AC as a power source are economical, robust, and durable. | DC devices or instrument which uses DC as a power supply are costlier and less durable. |
The maintenance cost of AC equipment or device is very much cost-effective | Maintenance of DC equipment or devices can cost much more than that of AC devices or types of equipment. |
At high voltages, AC can be generated. | Due to commutation difficulty is a DC cannot be generated at high voltages. |
Switchgear is simple for AC circuits. | Switchgear is complicated for DC. It required additional measures to work properly. |
AC Transmission and distribution are economical as well as loss in AC power due to transmission is relatively lesser than that of DC transmission. | DC Transmission and distribution are costlier as well as loss in DC power due to transmission is relatively more than that of AC. |
AC generator has high efficiency. | The DC generator is less efficient than that of an AC generator. |
AC does not have to face much of electrolytic corrosion | DC has more Electrolytic corrosion |
Arc generated in AC is lower in strength and can be self-extinguished as AC has zero crossing in its cycle. | Arc generated in DC is much stronger and cannot be self-extinguished as DC does not have any zero-crossing. |
The AC Induction motor is easy to use or maintain | The DC Induction motor, for proper working, requires a commutator, brushes, and switches. |
Other Differences between AC and DC are:
AC Circuit vs DC Circuit:
AC | DC |
An AC circuit current its direction (or polarity) and its magnitude periodically. | DC circuit current flows only in one direction; only magnitude can vary polarity of voltage, or current does not change with time. |
AC signal has a specific frequency | DC does not have any specific frequency to define it. |
The amplitude of the AC signal changes continuously. | The amplitude of DC can change, but polarity remains fixed. |
AC cannot be used to directly for electroplating, electrolytic or electrochemical process | DC can be used directly for electroplating electrolytic or electrochemical process |
AC Motor’s speed cannot be controlled easily | DC Motor’s speed can be controlled easily |
Disadvantages of AC:
DC Circuit Breaker vs AC Circuit Breaker
A circuit breaker is a switching device designed to protect any circuit or device from getting damaged. Ac and dc circuit breakers are both used in the different electric circuits.
DC Circuit Breaker | AC Circuit Breaker |
The DC circuit breaker uses a thermal protection principle where the overloaded current is slightly larger than that of the standard current for the highly overloaded magnetic protection principle. | The AC circuit breaker uses magnetic protection and thermal protection principles. |
DC circuit breakers can be used to protect the main circuit or a single load that uses a DC source. | AC circuit breaker is used with a circuit or device that uses an AC source for power. |
As in the DC circuit, the voltage is continuous, and the arc is constant, so it is difficult to disconnect from the circuit. | The AC circuit breaker easily gets disconnected from the circuit. |
Extinguishing the arc is relatively poorer than the AC circuit breaker as DC does not have a zero-crossing point. | Extinguishing the arc is easy with an AC circuit breaker as ac has a zero-crossing point with every complete cycle. |
The extinguishing device is mainly magnetic blowing type | The Arc extinguishing device is mainly grid type |
AC circuit breaker cannot be used in place of DC circuit breaker | DC circuit breaker cannot be used in place of AC circuit breaker as AC voltage or current may have a different effect on the DC circuit breaker |
DC circuit breaker needs extra Arc extinguishing measures as DC cannot be self-extinguished. DC needs to be extended, and additional mechanisms such as DC Arc can only be extinguished by cooling or mechanical introduction. | In AC Arc, interruption is easy as voltage and currents are not in steady-state, so the AC circuit arc is weaker than the DC circuit arc, so no additional measures are required. |
I have graduated in Applied Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering. I’m a curious-minded person. I have an interest and expertise in subjects like Transducer, Industrial Instrumentation, Electronics, etc. I love to learn about scientific researches and inventions, and I believe that my knowledge in this field will contribute to my future endeavors.