[TowerTalk] DC very high voltage transmission lines

[Michael Tope]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "JC Smith" <jc-smith at comcast.net>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 8:02 PM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] DC very high voltage transmission lines


> Actually, while I completely agree with those who feel Tesla was short
> changed by history, it's the other way around.  Edison's electric grid was
> DC; it was Tesla who championed AC.
>
> 73 - JC, K0HPS
>
>

It was actually Edison (DC) versus Westinghouse (AC) with Westinghouse
using Tesla's AC patents and Tesla as a consultant. The electric chair
was to replace hanging  as the method of choice for executions, so Edison
advocated for an AC design (Westinghouse/Tesla technology) and then
turned around and used the AC electric chair as evidence to scare the
public that Westinghouse's AC technology was too dangerous to be used
for electricity distribution:

http://inventors.about.com/od/hstartinventions/a/Electric_Chair.htm

http://www.pbs.org/tesla/ll/ll_warcur.html

Edison also enjoyed the advantage of having the financial backing of
JP Morgan. Really interesting stuff.

Ultimately there are respective advantages to both systems. For long
transmission lines, DC is probably better by virtue of the lower losses,
whereas AC has clear advantages when used for local distribution.

73, Mike W4EF...................................................