The large-scale electrical transmission was in its infancy in the late 19th century. Back then, inventors the world over were looking for ways to generate electricity in one location and send it to another for widespread commercial and residential applications. In the end, achieving the dream of providing electricity to every home and business came down to two competing technologies. One was invented by Thomas Edison, the other by Nikola Tesla.
Edison’s system revolved around generating direct current (DC) and sending it over transmission lines supported by multiple transformers. Tesla came up with a unique electricity-generating motor that produced alternating current (AC).
Both technologies were put to the test. Edison launched his own power company to service a small section of New York in 1882. George Westinghouse licensed Tesla’s AC system and used it as the foundation of Westinghouse Electric when he launched the company in 1888.
Tesla’s AC Won the Day
If you are familiar with the history of electrical transmission, you know that Nikola Tesla’s technology eventually won out. As effective as Edison’s DC system was, it could not compete in the grand scheme of things. The nature of DC power tells the whole story.
First and foremost, bringing electricity to every business and home would require building large, costly power generation plants. The powers that be obviously wanted as few plants as possible, all generating as much energy as they could. When push came to shove, it was determined that AC power could be generated easier and more cost-effectively.
Transmission distance was another factor. AC power is more easily transmitted across long distances with less need for supporting infrastructure. It allows entire cities to be powered by a single plant. Given the choice of serving all of New York City with one plant as opposed to five or six, the decision was an easy one.
 Different Voltages Also Contributed
Tesla’s system had another advantage in that it made for easier voltage conversion. Prior to both Edison and Tesla, electricity had already been in use for industrial applications for years. But all sorts of applications required different voltages. Any new power generation and transmission system had to be capable of accommodating those voltages.
DC power can be converted, but it is not easily scaled up when a higher voltage is required. On the other hand, AC power is easily converted on demand. Not only can it accommodate a variety of voltages for both commercial and residential use, but it is also easily converted into DC power for those consumer electronics that need it.
 DC Power Is Still Around
While the world chose Tesla’s AC system over Edison’s DC power, Edison’s technology hasn’t been completely abandoned. DC power is still around today, primarily in batteries and DC power converters. According to Pale Blue Earth, makers of USB rechargeable batteries, DC power is superior for some applications because it provides more consistent voltage.
Most of our electronic gadgets run on DC power for that very reason. Their internal components are too sensitive to trust to AC power. So we either power them with batteries or use power packs that convert AC to DC.
The world chose Tesla over Edison because AC power is a better way to provide electricity to homes and businesses. Yet DC power still has its place. It is proof that we do not have to take one side over the other. Both types of power offer benefits that society can take advantage of. Interestingly enough, we are figuring out better ways to use DC power as time rolls on. Edison’s day may yet come after all.
