5 ms·
I think the question could be constrained as "what frequency uses the minimum amount of copper to remake the electrical distribution network that exists today?"
by willis936 2y ago
I think the question could be constrained as "what frequency uses the minimum amount of copper to remake the electrical distribution network that exists today?"
This would be a pretty good approximation of the ratio of transmission lines to transformers.
- Panzer04 2y agoYou could build the lot with DC and massively reduce transformers, but transformers are probably a lot more reliable than switching converters everywhere. Not sure which would be cheaper tbh.
- mgiampapa 2y agoSure, the transformers would be smaller, but your transmission lines would be thicc.
- Mistletoe 2y agoIsn’t it the other way around? >Generally, for long-distance power transmission, DC lines can be thinner than AC lines because of the "skin effect" in AC, which concentrates current flow near the surface of the conductor, making thicker wires less efficient; therefore, for the same power transmission, a DC line can be smaller in diameter than an AC line
- lazide 2y agoThe issue is actually that DC voltage conversion is much harder than AC, because AC can use transformers, and DC can’t. This is especially a problem at high voltages and currents. Also, DC arcs don’t self extinguish as well as AC arcs do, so DC arcs are a lot more dangerous and destructive. It’s why HVDC lines are still relatively rare (and capital expensive), and typically used for long haul or under salt water, where the inductive loss from AC would cost more than the higher capital costs required for DC voltage conversion and stability.
- TheSpiceIsLife 2y agoDistribution lines are aluminium.
- mrlonglong 2y agoWhy isn't silver used though? It's a better conductor isn't it?
- AdrianB1 2y agoCost and weight. High voltage electrical lines use aluminium because of the weight, they are mostly aerial lines. Silver is too expensive to use for almost anything.
- mrlonglong 2y agoBut suppose it was cheap enough, would it be useful?
- NooneAtAll3 2y agothis gives a wrong assumption that optimal distribution network is _the same_ for different frequencies or that it, itself, isn't a consequence of its own series of sunken cost fallacies
- willis936 2y agoIt doesn't. That's why I said it would be good approximation. It's a classic optimization problem. Two iterations is a lot more informative than one.
- deleted 2y ago[deleted]