[ExI] Inkjet printing could change the face of solar energy industry

[Eugen Leitl]

On Mon, Jul 04, 2011 at 08:51:51AM +0100, BillK wrote:

> I doubt if you will end up with two classes of devices (AC or DC). You
> would have to design new plug standards to stop people plugging them

Such plug standards already exist. Look into automotive.
Low-voltage takes giant wire crossection, and can be a
fire hazard. It might make sense to pick 24 or 48 V instead
of 12. 48 V is still reasonably safe, unless you get
wet skin and current across the chest (in this case, even 9 V
could be fatal, though the story could apocryphal).

> into the wrong sockets. Look at the horrific mess of international
> plug standards at present!

Low-voltage halogens do it.
 
> More likely you will get (more expensive) devices that include a

About the only reason to use AC at home is for motors.
Modern power electronics lets you build smart DC motors
without even permanent magnets.

> transformer and intelligent switching that decides what the input
> electricity type is and runs on whatever they are plugged into.

Much too complicated.

-- 
Eugen* Leitl <a href="http://leitl.org">leitl</a> http://leitl.org
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