AC was an excellent choice! DC causes enormous problems with electrolysis of the infrastructure -e.g. plating off of the conductors, electrolysis, corrosion in general. DC is will not run induction motors or transformers. Before Silicon Controlled Rectifiers for conversion to AC this was a big problem.
The new Phoenix Arizona Light rail system uses high voltage DC on the overhead power takeoff cable. Looking at the engineering specifications, Phoenix requres substantial measures to mitigate corrosion. http://www.valleymetro.org/images/uploads/lightrail_publications/Design_Crit eria_Manual_FINAL_030207.pdf I sure wish that politics and vested interests hadn't forced this on us at all, since there's a much more efficient solution to mass transit, and they don't have to dig up the streets, just put poles down the middle: http://www.taxi2000.com/ Hoyt Stearns Scottsdale, Arizona -----Original Message----- From: Jed Rothwell [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 2:51 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [Vo]:Reputation, the Birdman of Alcatraz, and cold fusion Jones Beene wrote: >... not to mention, how many scumbags have been good inventors in >the past - Edison comes to mind. Edison was both genius, and the >egotistical fool who electrocuted several elephants in a vain and >silly attempt to show that Tesla's AC was too dangerous to use in a home.
