We almost went with DC. So, yes DC would have been great, but the politics at the time went with AC. I'm just an
Electrician, and the only downside to a DC electrical grid
is Voltage Drop. Maybe an Electrical Engineer can chime in?
DC is not synonymous with low voltage - voltage drop is a red herring. Problems with DC that I can think of off the top of my head:
- Utility companies need to change out pole pigs for DC-DC converters.
- When electrocuted, muscles grab and lock up, rather than a mere painful buzzing.
- Lower mechanical switch ratings (no zero crossing for arcs to self-extinguish). Check out the printed DC ratings on a listed switch some time.
- Corrosion on exposed conductors due to constant potential difference.
- Low level magnetization of things next to power conductors.
- General disruption and uncertainty that change brings. I bet you could annotate most clauses in the NEC with the incident that prompted its addition.
- Nikola Tesla may wake up and finally use that death ray.
