How do we get to a DC-powered home?

Submitted by admin on October 20, 2015 - 4:40pm

Title	How do we get to a DC-powered home?
Publication Type	Journal Article
Year of Publication	2012
Authors	Freeman D
Journal	EDN Network
Keywords	DC power, home, News
Abstract	Recently I had a discussion with some of my colleagues about the benefits of a DC-powered home. I commented that in some ways, my home is becoming more and more DC-powered. Actually, it is kind of a distributed DC power where some rooms have four or more wall adapters, as well as other devices that convert to DC internally like computers and printers. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States, each person has an average of eight adapters1. Counting what I have at home and the office, I have 10 – although some are duplicates. For example, I have a notebook charger for my home and one for my office. Over 100 years ago, Edison and Westinghouse were on each side of the DC versus AC debate. At that time the loads were light bulbs, motors, and heaters. All had DC or AC options. AC had the advantage in that the voltage could be changed with a simple transformer. DC had issues like arcing and connector corrosion.
URL	http://www.edn.com/electronics-blogs/dave-s-power-trips/4402704/How-do-we-get-to-a-DC-powered-home-