Comparison of A.C. and D.C. Transmission

Comparison of A.C. and D.C. Transmission 

The electric power can be transmitted either by means of d.c. or a.c.  Each system has its own merits and demerits.  It is, therefore, desirable to discuss the technical advantages and disadvantages of the two systems for transmission of electric power.

1.  D.C. transmission.  

For some years past, the transmission of electric power by d.c. has been receiving the active consideration of engineers due to its numerous advantages.

Advantages.  

The high voltage d.c. the transmission has the following advantages over high voltage a.c. transmission :
(i) It requires only two conductors as compared to three for a.c. transmission.
(ii) There is no inductance, capacitance, phase displacement, and surge problems in d.c. transmission.
(iii) Due to the absence of inductance, the voltage drop in a d.c. the transmission line is less than the a.c. the line for the same load and sending end voltage.  For this reason, a d.c. the transmission line has better voltage regulation.
(iv) There is no skin effect in a d.c.  system.  Therefore, the entire cross-section of the line conductor is utilized.
(v) For the same working voltage, the potential stress on the insulation is less in the case of d.c. system than that an a.c. system.  Therefore, a d.c. the line requires less insulation.
(vi) A d.c. the line has less corona loss and reduced interference with communication circuits.
(vii) The high voltage d.c. transmission is free from the dielectric losses, particularly in the case of cables.
(viii) In d.c. transmission, there are no stability problems and synchronizing difficulties.

Disadvantages 

(i) Electric power cannot be generated at high d.c. voltage due to commutation problems.
(ii) The d.c. voltage cannot be stepped up for transmission of power at high voltages.
(iii) The d.c. switches and circuit breakers have their own limitations.

2. A.C. transmission.  

Now-a-days, electrical energy is almost exclusively generated, transmitted and distributed in the form of a.c.

Advantages 

(i) The power can be generated at high voltages.
(ii) The maintenance of a.c. sub-stations is easy and cheaper.
(iii) The a.c. voltage can be stepped up or stepped down by transformers with ease and efficiency.  This permits to transmit power at high voltages and distribute it at safe potentials.

Disadvantages 

(i) An a.c. the line requires more copper than a d.c. line.
(ii) The construction of a.c. the transmission line is more complicated than a d.c. transmission line.
(iii) Due to skin effect in the a.c. the system, the effective resistance of the line is increased.
(iv) An a.c. the line has capacitance.  Therefore, there is a continuous loss of power due to charging current even when the line is open.

Conclusion. 

From the above comparison, it is clear that high voltage d.c. transmission is superior to high voltage a.c. transmission.  Although at present, the transmission of electric power is carried by a.c., there is an increasing interest in d.c. transmission.  The introduction of mercury arc rectifiers and thyratrons have made it possible to convert a.c. into d.c. and vice-versa easily and efficiently. Such devices can operate upto 30 MW at 400 kV in single units.  The present-day trend is towards a.c. for generation and distribution and high voltage d.c. for transmission.

Fig. shows the single line diagram of high voltage d.c. transmission.  The electric power is generated as a.c. and is stepped up to high voltage by the sending end transformer TS.  The a.c. power at high voltage is fed to the mercury arc rectifiers which convert a.c. into d.c.  The transmission of electric power is carried at high d.c. voltage.  At the receiving end, d.c. is converted into a.c. with the help of thyratrons.  The a.c. supply is stepped down to low voltage by receiving end transformer TR for distribution.