Which type of current is typically used in household electrical systems?

Household electrical systems primarily utilize alternating current (AC) for several important reasons. AC is advantageous because it can be easily transformed to higher or lower voltages, which is essential for efficient power distribution over long distances. This allows electricity to be transmitted from power plants to homes without significant loss of energy.

Moreover, many household appliances, from light bulbs to refrigerators, are designed to operate on AC due to its ability to power induction motors, which are commonly used in various devices. The frequency of the AC used in most residential systems, typically around 60 hertz in the United States, also provides a balance of efficiency and safety. In contrast, direct current (DC) is often used in battery-powered devices and specific applications like electronics, but it is not practical for widespread home electrical systems due to greater energy losses during transmission. Other options like PC and RC do not represent standard types of current used in household applications.