The historical development of AC electricity and the scientific debate between Thomas Edison’s DC power system and Nikola Tesla’s AC power system
By: Avi Sharma (999817587)
The development of distributed power generations has an intriguing history, starting from the dispute between choosing between DC and AC for power distribution to the current applications of the two types of current. The first instance of an Alternating Current motor appeared in 1882, where Sabastian Ferranti, in conjunction with Lord Kelvin designed electronic devices that could be used to implement an AC power system, including electrical generators and transformers. Five years later, Ferranti designed the Deptford power station, which is today regarded as one of the
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He also notable founded General Electric, which is to this day one of the largest corporations in the world and remains heavily involved in the power industry. Towards the end of the 19th century, Edison was involved in a direct competition with Westinghouse in a competition that would come to define the applications of DC and AC electricity, known as the “War of currents”. Edison and his company had invested in DC powered technology for many years, and he often refused to investigate AC as a superior alternative for power distribution. Edison had even hired Tesla to work for his company in 1882, but Tesla found no opportunities to develop his ideas on AC technology while working for Edison. Instead, he was assigned to work on improving previous designs of DC motors, at which he …show more content…
Returning to the comparison between DC and AC power distribution systems, it is important to note that there is a fundamental difference between the design of the two systems. The major difference between the two is that transformers make it possible for AC systems to supply high-voltage power that can be used by any customers, regardless to voltage requirements. Transformers make it possible for power suppliers to step up their voltage for transmission, and transformers used by consumers can step down the voltage to the required level. As such, the AC power distribution system tends to consist of a few large-scale power generation operations that supply a large area. On the other hand, a DC distribution system tends to have power stations servicing smaller
The module AC/DC is directly related to the career path of the electrical linemen. In the module i learned about two types of electrical current, alternating (AC), and direct current (DC). In direct current (DC), the electric charge (current) only flows in one direction. Electric charge in alternating current (AC), on the other hand, changes direction periodically. The voltage in (AC) circuits also periodically reverses because the current changes direction. Electrical lineman work on power lines and other thing that have (AC) or (DC) current depending on what they are working on. Lineman work on electrically energized (live) and de-energized (dead) power line. They may perform a number of tasks associated with power lines, including installation or replacement of distribution equipment such as capacitor banks, distribution transformers on poles, insulators and fuses.
Tesla’s career as an inventor started when he was in his late twenties. He displayed his incredible understanding of electricity and physics when he created his first invention, the induction motor. The induction motor is a small, electric motor that has become a very useful machine. In fact, most household appliances run using Tesla’s induction motor (Vujovic 1). Score one for Tesla. Soon after he invented the induction motor, Tesla moved to America to try his luck at living the American dream. While in New York City, Tesla got the amazing opportunity to work for his hero, Thomas Edison. However, Tesla soon quit working for Edison due to some disagreements between the two inventors. And so with Edison and his men biting at Tesla’s heels, Nikola set out on his own to make a name for himself (Vujovic 1). Tesla soon became Edison’s greatest competitor. While tinkering in his lab with one of his inventions called the Tesla Coil, Tesla discovered that he could send and receive radio signals when his coils were tuned to the exact same frequency...
As James Levine is famous for saying, “I was lucky that I met the right mentors and teachers at the right moment.” To me, one of the greatest mentors of innovative scientific history was Nikola Tesla. That being said, if given the opportunity to spend the next year of my life in a different time period I would like to live during the year 1942 so I could work beside Tesla. This was the year before Tesla died, a time when he had experienced the full scope of his expertise and could impart that wisdom to me. My questions about his popularity would be answered in full. Questions about Tesla’s integrity could lead to the answer to the legendary disputes about what was rightfully his. Legends about genius inventions that could only be imagined
Thomas Alva Edison was considered one of the greatest inventors and industrial leader. He had over 1000 inventions but none greater then his ability to develop a system that would provide people with a wide safe stable and efficient light and power. This also lead to other countries such as Europe and South America to follow this wonderful invention that modernized the world forever.
AC and DC literally stand for Alternating Current and Direct Current. Direct Current is very convenient and is used in many modern day utilities. For a circuit with DC the current is constanly in one direction, while the voltage remains constant. This makes for a simplistic circuit, for example a flashlight, The batteries are a source of electrochemical DC power and . However AC is called Alternating Current because the voltage changes from negative to positive a given number of times a second, this is also described as the frequency of the power. An example of this would be a motor ran by a hand crank. The inversing of charges creates a sinusoidal graph which looks something like figure 1 (given in radians). This makes for an unsteady power source and can often times be warped from the sinusoidal shape. So the main difference between AC and DC is the way the energy is transmitted.
Alternating current is always changing in direction and amplitude. The current flow in alternating current changes in even intervals. Ac usually changes in power and direction. The vast majority of power supplied for households and big business is alternating current. This is because of the ease of generating alternating current in alternators. The main concept of alternators is moving a conductor through magnetic lines. The change in the magnetic field around the conductor or vice versa makes electrons move. When you have physically moved either the conductor or magnet in a complete 306-degree circle you have produced one sine wave or one complete cycle. The amount of time it takes to complete one cycle is referred to as a period. The frequency of an alternating sine wave is the amount of cycles per second. Frequency is measured in hertz. One hertz is equivalent to one cycle per second. The frequency coming out of your electrical plug at home is 60 Hz. The peak value in a sine wave is the top voltage level away from zero. The peak-to-peak voltage value is referring to difference between the positive peaks value to the negative peak value. The effective or rms value of a sine wave is the actual amount you would use or measure using a multi-meter. In three-phase alternating current there are three different coils or conductors that produce three different sine waves.
This hopefully adds some insight into the use of electric motors, and the principals of them that make these motors work. Such as electromagnetism, binary switches for DC motors, and the selection of a running frequency of a motor through the use of an oscillator.
The history of engineering goes back into the 19th century when Alexander Volta (1745-1827) made a remarkable discover regarding the nature of electricity (Cosgrove 749). He discovered that electrical current could be controlled and could flow from one point to another. By the time the mid-19th century came about the rules for electricity were being established. During this time electromagnetic induction was discovered by Michael Faraday who lived from 1791 to 1867 (749). Also during this time Samuel Morris invented the telegraph in 1837 which relies on the principles of electromagnetic induction (749). Alexander Graham Bell, who lived from 1847 to 1922, created the telephone which also uses electricity in order to operate (749). Through the success of the telephone, Bell Telephone Company was established. In 1878, the light bulb was finally invented by Thomas Edison who lived from 1847 to 1931 (749). Off the principles of Faraday’s electric motor from 1821, Nicholas Tesla invented a more efficient and powerful electric motor in 1888 (749). To make these inventions be more significant, effort was expended to make better motors and transformers and to enhance the power needed to make them function. Through these inventions during the middle 19th century, it led to the capability of lighting homes and cities through the use of electricity, and it also led to the creation of the telephone communication system (750).
Thomas Edison is widely regarded as one of the most influential inventors and innovators of the Twentieth Century. Edison’s efforts ushered in a new era of technology; a world in which electricity would be harnessed and made to bow before man’s will. Walter Lippman wrote, “It is impossible to measure the importance of Edison by adding up the specific inventions with which his name is associated” (qtd. in Baldwin 409). Edison’s decades long career was a synergistic melding of his success as an inventor and his prowess as a promoter and businessman. He exemplified the ideals of intelligence married to hard work and perseverance. He forever changed the landscape of American invention and the limits of technological change (Baldwin 409).
Electrical motors play an important role in today’s society, from powering domestic appliances like blenders to industrial equipment such as trains. It almost seems impossible to not use an electric motor in our daily lives. In the comfort of our home, electric motors will operate fans, refrigerators, and air conditioners to just name a few. Researchers are constantly looking for new ways to incorporate electrical motors in our lives.
He next formed a company, the Tesla Electric Light & Manufactoring. Unfortunately, his investors disagreed with his plans for developin...
Ac motors are mainly use for larger aircrafts. There are two main types of ac motors , depending on the type of rotor used. The first type is synchronous motor , which does not reply on induction and as a result , can rotate exactly at the supply frequency or a sub multiple of the supply . the magnetic field on the rotor is either generated by current delivered through slip motors and also rings or by a permanent magnet. Other types od the motor include eddy current motors. AC /DC mechanically commuted machines in which speed is dependent on the voltage and the connection. Second type is a induction motor which runs slightly slower than the supply frequency. The magnetic field on the rotor of the motor is created by an induced current . when the rotor rotates, the stator conductors are cut by the magnetic flux hence the reason an induced E.M.F is produced by them, because the magnetic poles are alternative N and S , they induced an E.M.F and hence current is armature conductors which first flow in one direction and then in the order. The single phase motor operates in a single phase supply and for use on numerous application like ceiling fans and also refrigerators ,food mixers ect. A single phase induction motor physically looks similar to that of the three phase induction motor except that its stator is
[3] Pilbeam J, Fritz W and Smith C. Electrical Principles and Practice. Cape Town : s.n., 2008.
3) I would prefer a video links and more picture of the Thomas Edison’s inventions. Also I found myself search for more information about the motion picture camera that Thomas Edison invented. I feel those inventions was very interesting because right now everywhere we have electricity light bulbs, sound recorder, and picture camera…etc. Our society getting better because of those inventors and their
The effects of electricity control much of our daily lives. Many of our gadgets and everyday tasks are run by this wonderful source of power. For example without electricity we would not be able to make a cup of coffee in the mourning, or even make a long distance call to family or friends. There have been several technological breakthroughs by many brilliant people throughout history regarding electricity. It has come from being discovered as a small current to being transformed into useful power to run such things as computers. Ben Franklin, Guglielmo Marconi, Thomas Edison, Paul Nipkow, and Charles Babbage have all contributed to the advancement of electricity, and all of their advancements have supplied society in many ways.