How the War of Currents Gave Us 110 Volts AC

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Thomas Edison launched his 110 Volt DC grid in 1882 in the face of stiff competition from fellow-inventor George Westinghouse. By 1884, the latter was already developing his own 110 Volt DC electricity network. Then he discovered the new-fangled European alternating current in 1885, while battling the shorter transmission range of direct current. Alternating current, or AC, allowed the current to be ‘stepped up’ and travel longer distances. This lead to what went down in history as the War of Currents.

How the Game Played Out in the War of Currents

war of currents
DC Generator: Kristi Hager: Public Domain

Other developers soon followed in George Westinghouse’s wake. Some, like him, initially used 110 Volts AC, while others preferred 220 volts.

With Edison’s back against the wall, he started spreading rumors that AC in general, and 220 volts in particular were recklessly dangerous. In so doing, several contemporary newsworthy events assisted him in the War of Currents.

  • Inexperienced installers emerged as 220 Volt AC specialists,  helping grids spread faster that the American railroad network. Crowds gathered everywhere they connected them on top of high poles. Almost inevitably, there were a few fatal accidents as there was no live-wire technology yet.
  • Support for the electric execution chair was gaining ground, with Westinghouse insisting his AC power would make it safer but more effective. Edison seized the moment by electrocuting horses in public. 220 Volts of Alternating Current was on its way to be becoming Public Enemy # 1.

Nowadays of course electricity is entirely safe, when used correctly as we do, and there are laws protecting animals. We also have laws regulating worker safety and how marketing should behave.

How We Eventually Ended Up with 110 Volts AC

war of currents
AC Transformers: Allalone89: Public Domain

Stepped-up alternating current proved a cheaper, more effective way than sending 110 Volts DC along short distances in ‘solid form’. Moreover, Edison could not take the heat after becoming a minor partner following a merger with General Electric.

So he left the industry to go into ore mining. With that, DC’s day as a major force in the War of Currents was over.

After the dust settled, the U.S. electricity distribution industry agreed on 110 Volts AC as their standard. This was to quieten the idea  that 220 volts were far too dangerous in the public mind. Thus Edison had his way with the numbers 110, but not with the letters DC. And so, the War of Currents ended with a whimper, and not a bang.

Related

Different Volt Standards in Use Today

Thomas Edison and the 110-Volt Light Bulb

Preview Image: Westinghouse Alternating System

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About Author

I tripped over a shrinking bank balance and fell into the writing gig unintentionally. This was after I escaped the corporate world and searched in vain for ways to become rich on the internet by doing nothing. Despite the fact that writing is no recipe for wealth, I rather enjoy it. I will not deny I am obsessed with it when I have the time. I live in Margate on the Kwazulu-Natal south coast of South Africa. I work from home where I ponder on the future of the planet, and what lies beyond in the great hereafter. Sometimes I step out of my computer into the silent riverine forests, and empty golden beaches for which the area is renowned. Richard

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