3 ms·
Power losses in wiring are an issue. Many of your DC devices also happen to be low-voltage. (For example, USB devices.) If you transmit the same number of watt
by adrianmonk 7y ago
Power losses in wiring are an issue. Many of your DC devices also happen to be low-voltage. (For example, USB devices.)
If you transmit the same number of watts at a higher voltage (lower current) rather than at a lower voltage (higher current) through a wire, you will lose less power.
So for moving the power around the house at distances more than around 10 feet (~3 meters), it's more energy-efficient to convert it near the point of use. And if you're already going to convert it, it's probably not worth the expense and complication of running two separate wiring systems.
- kragen 7y agoThe USB power supply is probably a 5-volt switchmode power supply which doesn't care whether its input is 80 volts or 300 volts, or ac or dc. You could very reasonably run 100 volts dc or 200 volts dc to things that use switchmode power supplies like that.
- sephamorr 7y agoA normal worldwide USB power supply accepts 86-240v AC, so you can usually supply a DC voltage on the same terminals of the same voltage with no issue (convert from AC peak to peak to DC)