2 ms·

What about DC plugs for the home? Maybe the kitchen appliances are the last that use AC natively?

bluGill 3y ago
AC is strictly better for home use. You can just throw a transformer at AC and you get a different voltage, and then a couple diodes and capacitors give you the DC voltage you want. DC is more complex (generally you turn DC into AC and throw it into a transformer then back to DC - the only advantage of DC is you can turn it into high frequency AC which allows for a tiny transformer). Most things that want DC want very low voltage DC, which doesn't travel long distances well, and there are a number of different DC voltages things that want DC might want.
- ianburrell 3y ago
  I got the impression there is one place for medium voltage DC in the home. Solar panels have inverters to make AC from DC, and batteries also need to convert DC to AC. It would be more efficient if the solar panels and batteries were connected directly with DC, and if there was a single, efficient inverter. It makes the most sense to use the battery DC voltage, and then solar panels have variable DC converter. It would make sense for off-grid home to distribute DC. DC appliances could be more efficient but they don't exist. Everyone will use inverter and AC wiring.
- danielhep 3y ago
  Almost all DC power supplies are switching power supplies these days, which convert AC to DC first, then use DC-DC converters to get to the final voltage. I would think AC transformers are quite rare in homes these days. Maybeeee some microwaves? But the majority of power consumption is happening after rectifiers. Edit: another thought, most chargers and other low power DC power supplies will actually work just fine if you feed them sufficiently high voltage DC rather than AC. The recifier just doesn't do anything! I used to power my laptop charger directly from a lithium battery at about 100 volts DC with no trouble.
- mixmastamyk 3y ago
  USB Power Delivery handles these issues. I suppose if the house is large there'd unfortunately need to be multiple transformers, maybe one per room instead of per device.
ianburrell 3y ago
AFAIK, there aren't any. There isn't any standard for voltage. There isn't much demand or advantage for DC in the home. There might be slight efficiency gain but have to replace all of your appliances. Appliances which don't exist. There are a bunch of DC power connectors but they are mainly for connecting cables and for low voltage. Powerpole is my favorite since genderless and maintains polarity, but can pull out. Boats, RVs, and off grid homes mostly use 12V DC. There are some that are using 48V for efficiency and higher power appliances. My understanding is that everything is hardwired. Lots have inverters and AC plugs.
- mixmastamyk 3y ago
  I exempted kitchen appliances, and suppose laundry too. Sometimes these are on 220 which is a different circuit already, right? Everything else in our place needs to be converted to DC. Edit: can't reply, so added below: Our lighting has been LED for a decade. USB PD up to 240W handles most of the other issues you mention. I have a USB Fan at my desk. I think the issues are solvable if one is motivated. ;-)
  - ianburrell 3y ago
    Why? Which DC voltage? The low voltage that use now is too low voltage for running in the walls. You're going to need converter boxes; DC-DC converters are more efficient but you are going to have wall warts everywhere. Also, USB-C is not enough power for things like TVs. Plus, I have a bunch of things like fans and lamps that need AC. So now going to have converter boxes from AC toDC. Also, appliances are where all the efficiency gains are because that is where all the power goes.
  - Dylan16807 3y ago
    Normal AC power for LED lights means you have big capacitors getting very hot and that dimming is very difficult. It's not a good way to do it.
vilunov 3y ago
Pretty sure the standard DC plug is USB.

AC is strictly better for home use. You can just throw a transformer at AC and you get a different voltage, and then a couple diodes and capacitors give you the DC voltage you want. DC is more complex (generally you turn DC into AC and throw it into a transformer then back to DC - the only advantage of DC is you can turn it into high frequency AC which allows for a tiny transformer). Most things that want DC want very low voltage DC, which doesn't travel long distances well, and there are a number of different DC voltages things that want DC might want.

ianburrell 3y ago
I got the impression there is one place for medium voltage DC in the home. Solar panels have inverters to make AC from DC, and batteries also need to convert DC to AC. It would be more efficient if the solar panels and batteries were connected directly with DC, and if there was a single, efficient inverter. It makes the most sense to use the battery DC voltage, and then solar panels have variable DC converter. It would make sense for off-grid home to distribute DC. DC appliances could be more efficient but they don't exist. Everyone will use inverter and AC wiring.
danielhep 3y ago
Almost all DC power supplies are switching power supplies these days, which convert AC to DC first, then use DC-DC converters to get to the final voltage. I would think AC transformers are quite rare in homes these days. Maybeeee some microwaves? But the majority of power consumption is happening after rectifiers. Edit: another thought, most chargers and other low power DC power supplies will actually work just fine if you feed them sufficiently high voltage DC rather than AC. The recifier just doesn't do anything! I used to power my laptop charger directly from a lithium battery at about 100 volts DC with no trouble.
mixmastamyk 3y ago
USB Power Delivery handles these issues. I suppose if the house is large there'd unfortunately need to be multiple transformers, maybe one per room instead of per device.

ianburrell 3y ago

AFAIK, there aren't any. There isn't any standard for voltage. There isn't much demand or advantage for DC in the home. There might be slight efficiency gain but have to replace all of your appliances. Appliances which don't exist. There are a bunch of DC power connectors but they are mainly for connecting cables and for low voltage. Powerpole is my favorite since genderless and maintains polarity, but can pull out. Boats, RVs, and off grid homes mostly use 12V DC. There are some that are using 48V for efficiency and higher power appliances. My understanding is that everything is hardwired. Lots have inverters and AC plugs.

mixmastamyk 3y ago
I exempted kitchen appliances, and suppose laundry too. Sometimes these are on 220 which is a different circuit already, right? Everything else in our place needs to be converted to DC. Edit: can't reply, so added below: Our lighting has been LED for a decade. USB PD up to 240W handles most of the other issues you mention. I have a USB Fan at my desk. I think the issues are solvable if one is motivated. ;-)
- ianburrell 3y ago
  Why? Which DC voltage? The low voltage that use now is too low voltage for running in the walls. You're going to need converter boxes; DC-DC converters are more efficient but you are going to have wall warts everywhere. Also, USB-C is not enough power for things like TVs. Plus, I have a bunch of things like fans and lamps that need AC. So now going to have converter boxes from AC toDC. Also, appliances are where all the efficiency gains are because that is where all the power goes.
- Dylan16807 3y ago
  Normal AC power for LED lights means you have big capacitors getting very hot and that dimming is very difficult. It's not a good way to do it.

vilunov 3y ago

Pretty sure the standard DC plug is USB.