Essay 3's Second Draft

Josiah Janyszek
Professor Kerr
EN101-23
October 23, 2011

Power Problems

    Most people need electricity in order to continue with their daily lives (“Causes”). Ever since electricity had been introduced, people have been using it to enhance their lifestyle. There are many things that depend on electricity though. Without it, some devices would not work unless they were built to rely on another source of power. Although electricity has made life easier and more enjoyable, it cannot always work or even be used when people need it. There are many things that interrupt the flow of electricity and stop it from being used. Blackouts, power surges, and the weather, among many other factors, cause power problems and outages.
    Blackouts can be the cause and effect of one of the worst power problems that can be experienced. A blackout occurs when absolutely no voltage is running for more than two cycles (“Common”). Tripping a circuit breaker, the power distribution system failing, or utility power failure can create a blackout (“Common”). Most causes of a blackout result from the power system, but human error can play a small part as well (“Electrical”). Blackouts are one of the most dangerous power problems that can exist (“Causes”). James Molinaro, borough president of New York’s Staten Island, said when a blackout occurred during a July heat wave, “Number one, it was a danger to the children that were playing out there in that heat, and secondly it would save electricity that people would need for air conditioning in their homes” (“Patterson”).
  Restoring power after a blackout can be a difficult job for power stations depending on what caused the blackout to occur (“Causes”). Blackouts can never be stopped because the power systems are built and run by human beings (“Electrical”). Although blackouts are very dangerous, power surges can be very expensive depending on what type of electrical equipment is damaged.
    Power surges and spikes can damage electrical equipment depending on how long they last. A power surge and a power spike differ by the amount of time it lasts. A power surge occurs when an excess of voltage is applied for at least three nanoseconds, whereas a power spike occurs when an excess of voltage is only applied for one or two nanoseconds (“HowStuffWorks “How””). Whether it is a power surge or a power spike, it is usually created when the electrical charge is increased at some point in the power line (“HowStuffWorks “Power””). Power surges can be caused by faulty wiring, problems with a power company’s equipment, a downed power line, lightning, which is the most familiar yet the least common cause, or the operation of high-power electrical devices, which is the more common cause (“HowStuffWorks “Power””). Power surges do not always result from lightning when it strikes near power lines; they can also result from magnetic fields that are produced by lightning that is in between storm clouds (“Voltage”). But when the lightning does strike near power lines, the electrical pressure can be drastically increased (“HowStuffWorks “Power””). As for power surges that result from high-power electrical devices, the power surge can be caused by an upset voltage flow in the electrical system (“HowStuffWorks “Power””). The high-voltage electrical devices require a sizeable amount of energy in order to be switched on or off, and the switching creates sudden and brief demands for power that often upsets the voltage flow (“HowStuffWorks “Power””). Power surges can also be created at the switching station of a power company, from a storm that is occurring miles away, by solar winds, or by solar flares (“Voltage”). However a power surge occurs, it can eventually cause overheating and the loss of important and expensive equipment (“Causes”). Because power surges can cause such damage to expensive equipment, it would be a good idea to have surge protection. Jim Korona, principal engineer for power quality at Detroit Edison, warns, “And without surge protection, your electronic equipment is toast” (“Suppressing”). Weather is another factor that can cause power problems and damage electrical equipment.
    The weather can do some of the worst damage to electrical equipment and cause numerous power problems. According to the Edison Electric Institute, weather causes 70% of the power outages in the U.S. (“Causes”). Dust and water can cause short circuits, and, along with lightning, rain, snow, ice, and wind, they can cause many other power failures (“Causes”). The world’s most severe power outages have historically been caused by natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, wind storms, earthquakes, and tsunamis. They can result in damaged power infrastructures and power outages that can last anywhere from days to months (“Causes”). According to a press release about the power interruptions in February 2011, “The task force found a majority of the electric outages and gas shortages were due to weather-related causes” (“FERC”). Poles upholding electrical devices and wires can even be knocked down if the weather becomes horrible enough to do so.
    Many power outages can be caused by blackouts, power surges, and the weather. Blackouts able to leave numerous homes without electricity occur about every four months in the U.S. (“Electrical”). Valuable information can be lost or corrupted, and equipment can be damaged whenever a blackout happens (“Common”). Blackouts, surges, the weather, and other causes can damage all sorts of electrical equipment and leave people without electricity for an unpredictable amount of time. Although electricity is a valuable accessory, it is not always dependable or even safe.

Works Cited

“Causes of Power Failures & Power Outages.” Industrial Diesel Generators: New & Used Generator Sets We Buy/Sell. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. <http://www.dieselserviceandsupply.com/Causes_of_Power_Failures.aspx>.
"Common Power Problems." Power Solutions Home. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. <http://www.power-solutions.com/power-quality/common-problems.php>.
"Electrical Blackouts: A Systemic Problem | Issues in Science and Technology | Find Articles." Find Articles | News Articles, Magazine Back Issues & Reference Articles on All Topics. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3622/is_200407/ai_n9419119/>.
“FERC: “Weather-Related Causes” Explain Power Supply Problems During 2011’s Extreme Winter êThe Energy Collective.” An Energy Policy, Climate Change, and Alternative Energy Community êThe Energy Collective. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. <http://theenergycollective.com/michaelgiberson/63450/ferc-nerc-conclude-weather-related-causes-explain-most-electric-power-and-gas->.
"HowStuffWorks "How Are Voltage Surges and Spikes Different?"" HowStuffWorks "Science" Web. 16 Oct. 2011. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/voltage-surges-spikes-different.htm>.
"HowStuffWorks "Power Surges"" HowStuffWorks "Electronics" Web. 14 Oct. 2011. <http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/surge-protector3.htm>.
Patterson, Thom. "U.S. Electricity Blackouts Skyrocketing - CNN.com." CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. <http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/innovation/08/09/smart.grid/index.html>.
"Suppressing the Surge | Electrical | This Old House - 1." Home Improvement and Remodeling: This Old House. Web. 23 Oct. 2011. <http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,218003,00.html>.
"Voltage Spike." DC Power Supplies. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. <http://dcpowersupplies.org/backup-power/voltagespike.html>.

First Draft of Essay 3

Josiah Janyszek
Professor Kerr
EN101-23
October 18, 2011

Power Problems

    Most people need electricity in order to continue with their daily lives (“Causes”). Ever since electricity had been introduced, people have been using it to make their lives easier. There are many things that depend on electricity. Without it, some devices would not work. Although electricity has made life easier and more enjoyable, it cannot always work or even be used when people need it. There are many things that interrupt the flow of electricity and stop it from being used. Blackouts, power surges, and the weather, among many other factors, cause power problems and outages.
    Blackouts can be the cause and effect of one of the worst power problems that can be experienced. A blackout occurs when absolutely no voltage is running for more than two cycles (“Common”). A blackout can occur when a circuit breaker is tripped or because of power distribution or utility power failure (“Common”). Even though blackouts can be caused by human error, most of the causes are from the power system (“Electrical”). One of the most dangerous power problems is a blackout (“Causes”). James Molinaro, borough president of New York’s Staten Island, said when a blackout occurred during a July heat wave, “Number one, it was a danger to the children that were playing out there in that heat, and secondly it would save electricity that people would need for air conditioning in their homes” (“Patterson”).
  Restoring power after a blackout can be a difficult job for power stations depending on what caused the blackout to occur (“Causes”). Blackouts can never be stopped because the power systems are built and run by human beings (“Electrical”). Blackouts may cause many power problems, but power surges can cause more expensive problems.
    Power surges and spikes can damage electrical equipment depending on how long they last. A power surge and a power spike differ by the amount of time it lasts. A power surge occurs when an excess of voltage is applied for at least three nanoseconds, whereas a power spike occurs when an excess of voltage is only applied for one or two nanoseconds (“HowStuffWorks “How””). Whether it is a power surge or a power spike, it is usually created when the electrical charge is increased at some point in the power line (“HowStuffWorks “Power””). Power surges can be caused by faulty wiring, problems with a power company’s equipment, a downed power line, lightning, which is the most familiar yet the least common cause, or the operation of high-power electrical devices, which is the more common cause (“HowStuffWorks “Power””). Power surges do not always result from lightning when it strikes near power lines; they can also result from magnetic fields that are produced by lightning that is in between storm clouds (“Voltage”). But when the lightning does strike near power lines, the electrical pressure can be drastically increased (“HowStuffWorks “Power””). As for power surges that result from high-power electrical devices, the power surge can be caused by an upset voltage flow in the electrical system (“HowStuffWorks “Power””). The high-voltage electrical devices require a sizeable amount of energy in order to be switched on or off, and the switching creates sudden and brief demands for power that often upsets the voltage flow (“HowStuffWorks “Power””). Power surges can also be created at the switching station of a power company, by solar winds, by solar flares, and created from a storm that is occurring miles away (“Voltage”). However a power surge occurs, it can eventually cause overheating and the loss of important and expensive equipment (“Causes”). Weather is another factor that causes power problems.
    The weather can do some of the worst damage to electrical equipment and cause many power problems. According to the Edison Electric Institute, weather causes 70% of the power outages in the U.S. (“Causes”). Dust and water can cause short circuits and, along with lightning, rain, snow, ice, and wind, cause many other power failures (“Causes”). The world’s most severe power outages have historically been caused by natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, wind storms, earthquakes, and tsunamis and can result in damaged power infrastructures and power outages that can last anywhere from days to months (“Causes”). According to a press release about the power interruptions in February 2011, “The task force found a majority of the electric outages and gas shortages were due to weather-related causes” (“FERC”). The weather and natural disasters can knock down poles upholding the power lines or even knock out power stations depending on how serious the natural disaster is.
    Many power outages can be caused by blackouts, power surges, and the weather. Blackouts able to leave numerous homes without electricity occur about every four months in the U.S. (“Electrical”). Valuable information can be lost or corrupted, and equipment can be damaged whenever a blackout happens (“Common”). Blackouts, surges, the weather, and other causes can damage all sorts of electrical equipment and leave people without electricity. Although electricity is a valuable accessory, it is not always dependable.

Works Cited

“Causes of Power Failures & Power Outages.” Industrial Diesel Generators: New & Used Generator Sets We Buy/Sell. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. <http://www.dieselserviceandsupply.com/Causes_of_Power_Failures.aspx>.
"Common Power Problems." Power Solutions Home. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. <http://www.power-solutions.com/power-quality/common-problems.php>.
"Electrical Blackouts: A Systemic Problem | Issues in Science and Technology | Find Articles." Find Articles | News Articles, Magazine Back Issues & Reference Articles on All Topics. Web. 14 Oct. 2011. <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3622/is_200407/ai_n9419119/>.
“FERC: “Weather-Related Causes” Explain Power Supply Problems During 2011’s Extreme Winter êThe Energy Collective.” An Energy Policy, Climate Change, and Alternative Energy Community êThe Energy Collective. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. <http://theenergycollective.com/michaelgiberson/63450/ferc-nerc-conclude-weather-related-causes-explain-most-electric-power-and-gas->.
"HowStuffWorks "How Are Voltage Surges and Spikes Different?"" HowStuffWorks "Science" Web. 16 Oct. 2011. <http://science.howstuffworks.com/voltage-surges-spikes-different.htm>.
"HowStuffWorks "Power Surges"" HowStuffWorks "Electronics" Web. 14 Oct. 2011. <http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/surge-protector3.htm>.
Patterson, Thom. "U.S. Electricity Blackouts Skyrocketing - CNN.com." CNN.com - Breaking News, U.S., World, Weather, Entertainment & Video News. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. <http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/innovation/08/09/smart.grid/index.html>.
"Voltage Spike." DC Power Supplies. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. <http://dcpowersupplies.org/backup-power/voltagespike.html>.

Power Problems

My next essay is about the causes of power problems. I will be researching three causes and the overall effects.

Final Draft For Essay 2

Josiah Janyszek
Professor Kerr
EN101-23
October 5, 2011

AC and DC

    Thomas Edison had over one hundred power stations across many residential areas supplying DC, which was the standard source of power during the late 1800s (“Teacher’s”). Nikola Tesla, who had just arrived in New York, noticed wires were being exposed and hanging around everywhere (“The Current”). Tesla, who knew this was a result of Edison’s DC system, desired to fix the wires being exposed and wanted to work in Edison‘s laboratory (“The Current”). Edison allowed Tesla to work in his laboratory because he didn’t think Tesla could use an AC motor to make the system better (“The Current”). George Westinghouse, a Pittsburgh industrialist, heard about Tesla’s invention and thought he could use this invention to solve problems with long-distance power transmission (“PBS: Tesla - Master of Lightning: War”). Westinghouse bought the patents from Tesla and made a breakthrough with them which resulted in an industrial war (“PBS: Tesla - Master of Lightning: War”). After many demonstrations and propaganda warfare, the ‘War of the Currents’ ended with Westinghouse and Tesla proving that their AC system was better than Edison’s DC system by successfully lighting the Columbian Exposition (“The Current”). The direction of current flow, the generation, and advantages of being used in the transmission system cause AC and DC to differ greatly yet still be needed.
    The direction of the current flow of AC differs from that of DC. DC, which stands for direct current, flows in only one direction whereas AC, which stands for alternating current, can flow in more than one direction (“Teacher’s”). The direction AC travels can be changed many times every second (“Teacher’s”). When AC changes the direction it travels, it also changes between positive and negative values (“PBS: Tesla - Master of Lightning: Understanding”). A constant voltage being expelled from a source until the source has been depleted means that the source is most likely DC ("What Is Alternating Current?" ). DC electricity travels from a negative source to a positive source (“Direct”). A DC circuit, which includes a batter or other source of electrical energy and a conducting wire that travels from the positive end to the negative end, is needed for the electrons to travel between the two different sources (“Direct”). The electrical charges can only flow through a circuit once voltage, the push that causes the charges to flow, has been applied (“Teacher’s”). Before AC and DC can travel through a circuit, they need to be generated.
    AC and DC are generated in different ways and from two different generators. Inside of an AC generator, magnets create a magnetic field which has an armature (a wire that is wrapped to form several coils) moving through or spinning within it (“The American Experience | Edison's Miracle of Light | AC - DC: What's the Difference?: Inside”). The movement created by the armature or any sort of spinning wire within the magnetic field causes the electrons to move in two different directions creating the AC electricity (“The American Experience | Edison's Miracle of Light | AC - DC: What's the Difference?: Inside”). DC generators use a brush to make contact with the coils which, in turn, creates direct current (“What Is Alternating Current (AC)? “).  Batteries are also used to produce DC electricity (“Teacher’s”). Along with flowing in different directions and being generated in different ways, AC and DC also have different advantages in the transmission system.
    The efficiency and cost of AC and DC traveling through the transmission system allow them both to have an advantage over the other. Transformers within the transmission system can easily ‘step up’ or ‘step down’ AC allowing it to travel at high voltages and used at a lower voltage ("The American Experience | Edison's Miracle of Light | AC - DC: What's the Difference?: Inside “). Because AC is constantly changing direction, the transformers can change the level of voltage at which the AC is traveling through (“Teacher’s”). When DC was originally used in the transmission system, it would lose its power after traveling for about a mile (“The American Experience | Edison's Miracle of Light | AC - DC: What's the Difference?“). A lot of the produced power was lost as heat due to the amount of resistance it met while traveling through the wires (“Teacher’s”). The heat loss would cause a lot of inefficiency in electrical equipment (“Teacher’s”). Although using AC in the transmission system is more efficient, using DC costs less (“Why”). The DC power transmission system requires half as much land, a smaller tower, and cheaper lines (“Why”). DC also has a higher controllability, operators on both sides to control the load flow, and an inherent overload capability whereas AC is uncontrolled, relies on the network, and has a very low overload capability (“Why”).  The DC system can be used underground enabling it to reach locations that are hard, if not impossible, for the AC system to reach (“Why”). Nevertheless, AC is still the main standard for transmission (“AC”).
    AC and DC transmission systems have advantages the other does not, are produced by different generators in different ways, and flow in different directions. AC is used the most in the transmission system, yet most devices run on DC (“AC”). AC has an advantage over DC regarding circuits, generators, and efficiency in the transmission system, but DC receives the advantage over AC when the size of the transmission tower and the cost of the land and wires are considered. Even though AC has more advantages over DC, neither one can do all of the work. They both serve different purposes and are both needed for electricity.

Works Cited

"AC or DC? Should We Switch Our Electric Current? : Greentech Media." Green Technology | Cleantech and Renewable Energy News and Analysis. Web. 02 Oct. 2011.      .
"Direct Current (DC) Electricity by Ron Kurtus - Succeed in Understanding Physics: School for Champions." School for Champions: Online Lessons for Those Seeking Success. Web. 03 Oct. 2011. http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/dc.htm.
"PBS: Tesla - Master of Lightning: Understanding Electricity - AC and DC." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.pbs.org/tesla/ins/ins_acdc.html.
"PBS: Tesla - Master of Lightning: War of the Currents." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.pbs.org/tesla/ll/ll_warcur.html.
"Teachers' Domain: AC / DC: What's the Difference?" Teachers' Domain: Home. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.mfw.acdc/.
"The American Experience | Edison's Miracle of Light | AC - DC: What's the Difference?" PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/edison/sfeature/acdc.html.
"The American Experience | Edison's Miracle of Light | AC - DC: What's the Difference?: Inside Generator." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/edison/sfeature/acdc_insideacgenerator.html.
"The Current War." Classroom Web Page Information. Web. 03 Oct. 2011. http://staff.fcps.net/rroyster/war.htm.
"What Is Alternating Current?" Welcome to Play-Hookey! Web. 03 Oct. 2011. http://www.play-hookey.com/ac_theory/.
"What Is Alternating Current (AC)? : BASIC AC THEORY." All About Circuits : Free Electric Circuits Textbooks. Web. 03 Oct. 2011. http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_2/chpt_1/1.html.
"Why Are Utilities Switching to High Voltage DC Transmission over Long Lines?" Find Science & Technology Articles, Education Lesson Plans, Tech Tips, Computer Hardware & Software Reviews, News and More at Bright Hub. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.brighthub.com/engineering/electrical/articles/81644.aspx.

My Second Essay's Second Draft

Josiah Janyszek
Professor Kerr
EN101-23
October 5, 2011

AC and DC

    Thomas Edison had over one hundred power stations across many residential areas supplying DC, which was the standard source of power during the late 1800s (“Teacher’s”). Nikola Tesla, who had just arrived in New York, noticed wires were being exposed and hanging around everywhere (“The Current”). Tesla, who knew this was a result of Edison’s DC system, desired to fix the wires being exposed (“The Current”). Edison allowed Tesla to work in his laboratory since Tesla had asked to be given a chance to use an AC motor in order to make the system better (“The Current”). George Westinghouse, a Pittsburgh industrialist, heard about Tesla’s invention and thought he could use this invention to solve problems with long-distance power transmission (“PBS: Tesla - Master of Lightning: War”). Westinghouse bought the patents from Tesla, and an industrial war started as a result of the breakthrough from the patents (“PBS: Tesla - Master of Lightning: War”). After many demonstrations and propaganda war, the ‘War of the Currents’ was ended once Westinghouse and Tesla proved their AC system was better than Edison’s DC system at the Columbian Exposition (“The Current”). The direction of current flow, the generation, and advantages of being used in the transmission system cause AC and DC to differ greatly yet still be needed.
    The direction of the current flow of AC differs from that of DC. DC, which stands for direct current, flows in only one direction whereas AC, which stands for alternating current, can flow in more than one direction (“Teacher’s”). The direction AC travels can be change many times every second (“Teacher’s”). When AC changes the direction it travels, it also changes between positive and negative values (“PBS: Tesla - Master of Lightning: Understanding”). A constant voltage being expelled from a source until the source has been depleted most likely means that the source is DC ("What Is Alternating Current?" ). DC electricity travels from a negative source to a positive source (“Direct”). A DC circuit, which includes a batter or other source of electrical energy and a conducting wire that travels from the positive end to the negative end, is needed for the electrons to travel between the two different sources (“Direct”). The electrical charges can only flow through a circuit once voltage, the push that causes the charges to flow, has been applied (“Teacher’s”). Before AC and DC can travel through a circuit, they need to be generated.
    AC and DC are generated in different ways and from two different generators. Inside of an AC generator, magnets create a magnetic field which has an armature (a wire that is wrapped to form several coils) moving through or spinning within it (“The American Experience | Edison's Miracle of Light | AC - DC: What's the Difference?: Inside”). The movement created by the armature or any sort of spinning wire within the magnetic field causes the electrons to move in two directions creating AC (“The American Experience | Edison's Miracle of Light | AC - DC: What's the Difference?: Inside”). DC generators use a brush to make contact with the coils which, in turn, creates direct current (“What Is Alternating Current (AC)? “).  Batteries are also used to produce DC electricity (“Teacher’s”). Along with flowing in different directions and being generated in different ways, AC and DC also have different advantages in the transmission system.
    The efficiency and cost of AC and DC traveling through the transmission system allow them both to have an advantage over the other. Transformers within the transmission system can easily ‘step up’ or ‘step down’ AC allowing it to travel at high voltages and used at a lower voltage ("The American Experience | Edison's Miracle of Light | AC - DC: What's the Difference?: Inside “). Because AC is constantly changing direction, the transformers can change the level of voltage at which the AC is traveling through (“Teacher’s”). When DC was originally used in the transmission system, it would lose its power after traveling for about a mile (“The American Experience | Edison's Miracle of Light | AC - DC: What's the Difference?“). A lot of the produced power was lost as heat due to the amount of resistance it met while traveling through the wires (“Teacher’s”). Heat loss causes a lot of inefficiency in electrical equipment (“Teacher’s”). Although using AC in the transmission system is more efficient, using DC costs less (“Why”). The DC power transmission system requires half as much land, a smaller tower, and cheaper wires (“Why”). DC also has a higher controllability, operators on both sides to control the load flow, and an inherent overload capability whereas AC is uncontrolled, relies on the network, and has a very low overload capability (“Why”).  The DC system can be used underground enabling it to reach locations that are hard, if not impossible, for the AC system to reach (“Why”). Nevertheless, AC is still the main standard for transmission (“AC”).
    AC and DC transmission systems have advantages the other does not, are produced by different generators in different ways, and flow in different directions. AC is used the most in the transmission system, yet most devices run on DC (“AC”). AC has an advantage over DC regarding circuits, generators, and efficiency in the transmission system, but DC receives the advantage over AC when the size of the transmission tower and the cost of the land and wires are considered. Even though AC has more advantages over DC, neither one can do all of the work. They both serve different purposes and are both needed for electricity.

Works Cited

"AC or DC? Should We Switch Our Electric Current? : Greentech Media." Green Technology | Cleantech and Renewable Energy News and Analysis. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/ac-or-dc-should-we-switch-our-electric-current/.
"Direct Current (DC) Electricity by Ron Kurtus - Succeed in Understanding Physics: School for Champions." School for Champions: Online Lessons for Those Seeking Success. Web. 03 Oct. 2011. http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/dc.htm.
"PBS: Tesla - Master of Lightning: Understanding Electricity - AC and DC." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.pbs.org/tesla/ins/ins_acdc.html.
"PBS: Tesla - Master of Lightning: War of the Currents." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.pbs.org/tesla/ll/ll_warcur.html.
"Teachers' Domain: AC / DC: What's the Difference?" Teachers' Domain: Home. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.mfw.acdc/.
"The American Experience | Edison's Miracle of Light | AC - DC: What's the Difference?" PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/edison/sfeature/acdc.html.
"The American Experience | Edison's Miracle of Light | AC - DC: What's the Difference?: Inside Generator." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/edison/sfeature/acdc_insideacgenerator.html.
"The Current War." Classroom Web Page Information. Web. 03 Oct. 2011. http://staff.fcps.net/rroyster/war.htm.
"What Is Alternating Current?" Welcome to Play-Hookey! Web. 03 Oct. 2011. http://www.play-hookey.com/ac_theory/.
"What Is Alternating Current (AC)? : BASIC AC THEORY." All About Circuits : Free Electric Circuits Textbooks. Web. 03 Oct. 2011. http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_2/chpt_1/1.html.
"Why Are Utilities Switching to High Voltage DC Transmission over Long Lines?" Find Science & Technology Articles, Education Lesson Plans, Tech Tips, Computer Hardware & Software Reviews, News and More at Bright Hub. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.brighthub.com/engineering/electrical/articles/81644.aspx.

My Second Essay's First Draft

Josiah Janyszek
Professor Kerr
EN101-23
October 4, 2011

AC and DC

    Hundreds of Thomas Edison’s power stations were being used across the country to supply DC, which was the standard source of power during the late 1800s (“Teacher’s”). Nikola Tesla had arrived in New York when he noticed wires were exposed and hanging low everywhere (“The Current”).  He was shocked to see this and desired to fix it (“The Current”). He knew this was a result of Thomas Edison’s DC system so he asked to work in Edison’s laboratory (“The Current”). Tesla had the idea of using an AC motor, and Edison knew this but decided to hire him anyway (“The Current”).  George Westinghouse, a Pittsburgh industrialist, heard about Tesla’s invention and thought he could use this invention to solve problems with long-distance power transmission (“PBS: Tesla - Master of Lightning: War”). Westinghouse bought the patents for the invention from Tesla, and an industrial war started as a result of the breakthrough from the patents (“PBS: Tesla - Master of Lightning: War”). Propaganda and demonstrations were being used to defend both AC and DC (“The Current”).  The war would be brought to an end once Westinghouse and Tesla’s DC or Edison and the General Electric Company’s AC won the competition for deciding which one would be used to power the Columbian Exposition in Chicago (“The Current”). Demonstrations for both AC and DC were given, and AC won (“The Current”). However, Tesla decided to show the safety and beauty of AC along with Edison showing DC, and Tesla with his AC came out on top and won the war (“The Current”). The direction of current flow, the generation, and advantages of being used in the transmission system cause AC and DC to differ greatly yet still be needed.
    The direction of the current flow of AC differs from that of DC. DC, which stands for direct current, flows in only one direction whereas AC, which stands for alternating current, can flow in more than one direction (“Teacher’s”). The direction AC travels can be change many times every second (“Teacher’s”). When AC changes the direction it travels, it also changes between positive and negative values (“PBS: Tesla - Master of Lightning: Understanding”). Smooth changes are made when an AC power source of electricity constantly changes amplitude and regularly changes polarity, and these changes never stop repeating in continuations of identical cycles ("What Is Alternating Current?").  A constant voltage being expelled from a source until the source has been depleted most likely means that the source is DC ("What Is Alternating Current?" ). DC electricity travels from a negative source to a positive source (“Direct”). A DC circuit, which includes a batter or other source of electrical energy and a conducting wire that travels from the positive end to the negative end, is needed for the electrons to travel between two different sources (“Direct”). DC electricity traveling through a circuit has the same concept as water flowing through a pipe and requires a battery or DC generator in order to be generated for travel (“Direct”). The electrical charges can only flow through a circuit once voltage, the push that cause the charges to flow, has been applied (“Teacher’s”). Before AC and DC can travel through a circuit, they need to be generated.
    AC and DC are generated in different ways and from two different generators. Inside of an AC generator, magnets create a magnetic field which has an armature (a wire that’s wrapped to form several coils) moving through or spinning within it (“The American Experience | Edison's Miracle of Light | AC - DC: What's the Difference?: Inside”). The movement created by the armature or any sort of wire within the magnetic field causes the electrons to move in two directions creating AC as a result (“The American Experience | Edison's Miracle of Light | AC - DC: What's the Difference?: Inside”). DC generators use a brush to make contact with the coils which, in turn, create direct current (“What Is Alternating Current (AC)? “).  Even to this day, DC is still produced by batteries as well as being produced by DC generators (“Teacher’s”). Along with flowing in different directions and being generated in different ways, AC and DC also have different advantages in the transmission system.
    The efficiency and cost of AC and DC traveling through the transmission system allow them both to have an advantage over the other. Transformers within the transmission system can easily ‘step up’ or ‘step down’ AC allowing it to travel at high voltages and used at a lower voltage ("The American Experience | Edison's Miracle of Light | AC - DC: What's the Difference?: Inside “). Because AC is constantly changing direction, the transformers can change the level of voltage at which the AC is traveling through (“Teacher’s”). When DC was originally used in the transmission system, it would lose its power after traveling for about a mile (“The American Experience | Edison's Miracle of Light | AC - DC: What's the Difference?“). A lot of the produced power was lost as heat due to the amount of resistance it met while traveling through the wires (“Teacher’s”). Heat loss causes a lot of inefficiency in electrical equipment (“Teacher’s”). The more current put through the wires results in more heat loss, and the only way to decrease the current yet maintain the same amount of power is to increase the voltage (“Teacher’s”). The more voltage that is applied will cause the power transmission to be more efficient (“Teacher’s”). Although using AC in the transmission system is more efficient, using DC costs less (“Why”). The DC power transmission system requires fifty percent less land and tower that is thirty percent as great as the size of a tower required for AC (“Why”).  Along with the smaller towers and smaller areas of land, the lines also save money since they cost thirty-three percent less since the DC system requires a shorter break-even system (“Why”). DC also has a higher controllability, operators on both sides to control the load flow, and an inherent overload capability whereas AC is uncontrolled, relies on the network, and has a very low overload capability (“Why”).  The DC power transmission system can also reach and help in places in which AC cannot such as offshore farms or energy platforms (“Why”). This system is also beneficial for back-to-back transmission since it restricts the spread of cascading disturbances and does not increase short circuit power, and the overhead lines using the DC system also lowers the cost since the lines require narrow transmission corridors (“Why”). Nevertheless, AC is still the main standard for transmission (“AC”).
    AC and DC transmission systems have advantages the other does not, are produced by different generators in different ways, and flow in different directions. AC is used the most in the transmission system, yet most devices run on DC (“AC”). AC has an advantage over DC regarding circuits, generators, and efficiency in the transmission system, but DC receives the advantage over AC when the size of the transmission tower and the cost of the land and wires are being considered. Even though AC may have more advantages over DC, neither one can do all of the work. They both serve different purposes and are both needed for electricity.

Works Cited

"AC or DC? Should We Switch Our Electric Current? : Greentech Media." Green Technology | Cleantech and Renewable Energy News and Analysis. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/ac-or-dc-should-we-switch-our-electric-current/.
"Direct Current (DC) Electricity by Ron Kurtus - Succeed in Understanding Physics: School for Champions." School for Champions: Online Lessons for Those Seeking Success. Web. 03 Oct. 2011. http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/dc.htm.
"PBS: Tesla - Master of Lightning: Understanding Electricity - AC and DC." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.pbs.org/tesla/ins/ins_acdc.html.
"PBS: Tesla - Master of Lightning: War of the Currents." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.pbs.org/tesla/ll/ll_warcur.html.
"Teachers' Domain: AC / DC: What's the Difference?" Teachers' Domain: Home. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/phy03.sci.phys.mfw.acdc/.
"The American Experience | Edison's Miracle of Light | AC - DC: What's the Difference?" PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/edison/sfeature/acdc.html.
"The American Experience | Edison's Miracle of Light | AC - DC: What's the Difference?: Inside Generator." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/edison/sfeature/acdc_insideacgenerator.html.
"The Current War." Classroom Web Page Information. Web. 03 Oct. 2011. http://staff.fcps.net/rroyster/war.htm.
"What Is Alternating Current?" Welcome to Play-Hookey! Web. 03 Oct. 2011. http://www.play-hookey.com/ac_theory/.
"What Is Alternating Current (AC)? : BASIC AC THEORY." All About Circuits : Free Electric Circuits Textbooks. Web. 03 Oct. 2011. http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_2/chpt_1/1.html.
"Why Are Utilities Switching to High Voltage DC Transmission over Long Lines?" Find Science & Technology Articles, Education Lesson Plans, Tech Tips, Computer Hardware & Software Reviews, News and More at Bright Hub. Web. 02 Oct. 2011. http://www.brighthub.com/engineering/electrical/articles/81644.aspx.