Key points: Alternating Current (AC) cannot charge a rechargeable battery because its positive half cycle charges the battery whilst the negative half cycle discharges it. In the end, the battery does not get charged.

The AC series motor you describe is a universal motor, and will work fine on DC. The speed characteristics will be a little different, since when running on AC there’s a significant reactive drop in the field windings that reduces the available driving emf.

It’s called the “onboard charger” though it really is a converter. It converts power from AC to DC and then feeds it into the car’s battery. This is the most common charging method for electric vehicles today and most chargers use AC power.

Since high voltages are more efficient for sending electricity great distances, AC electricity has an advantage over DC. This is because the high voltages from the power station can be easily reduced to a safer voltage for use in the house. Changing voltages is done by the use of a transformer.

Why DC is not used for transmission When the voltage is stepped up the current will be reduced so the conductor size can be reduced and the cost is reduced. The voltage drop is reduced so long-distance transmission is possible.

Transmitting DC power over a long distance is inefficient. Thus AC supply is a far more efficient to transmit power. HVDC transmission losses are quoted as less than 3% per 1,000 km, which are 30 to 40% less than with AC lines, at the same voltage levels.

Alternating current is cheaper to generate and has fewer energy losses than direct current when transmitting electricity over long distances. Although for very long distances (more than 1000 km), direct current can often be better.

From what you read above, we can say that the main advantages of DC generators include simple design, simple parallel operation, and fewer problems of system stability.

Which Motor Is More Powerful: AC or DC? AC motors are generally considered to be more powerful than DC motors because they can generate higher torque by using a more powerful current. However, DC motors are typically more efficient and make better use of their input energy.

AC motors have lower peak efficiency (the best at about 92%) vs permanent magnet DC motors (up to 97%) but higher overall efficiency across the entire operating range, which is in uses such as vehicles. AC motor was invented by Nikola Tesla.