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Using AC and DC together in electrical system?
Using AC and DC together in electrical system?

There are a number of issues to using AC and DC together in the same electrical system. Briefly, they are: circuit boxes and hardware, outlets, wiring schemes and sizes, and switches.


Circuit boxes

The Electrical Code prohibits AC and DC in the same box. You’ll need two distribution boxes – one for AC and one for DC.

Circuit breakers rated for AC won’t work for DC. Expect to pay more for DC breakers. On the other hand, fuses are mostly indifferent to AC or DC, or even differences in voltage. Older-style circuit boxes employing fuses that no longer meet Code for AC wiring will work fine for DC circuits. Up to ratings of 30 Amps, the new style of automotive fuses are also great for DC systems.


Outlets

Standard receptacles will work for DC or AC. You must exercise caution in using both in the same household. Plugging a 12V DC load into a 120V AC socket may fry the load if the circuit breaker/fuse doesn’t pop first.

Plugging a 120V AC load into a 12V DC circuit may hurt the load or blow a fuse or simply do nothing. Still, who needs this worry. Amateur electricians have many
ways to handle this situation. One scheme uses the same type of receptacle for AC and DC circuits but colorcodes or labels the receptacle plate itself. This works okay for hermits but it’s lousy for guests, children, and the uninformed.

A second scheme is to wire AC and DC into the same receptacle, with a shared common (bad idea). Another scheme is to wire the 12V appliances to a unique auto cigarette
lighter plug/receptacle (light loads only, please). Or a plug/receptacle of the style found in older RVs (recreational vehicles) for 12V circuits (mostly inadequate).

A better idea is to use a plug/receptacle with a different NEMA number (pattern) for the 12V circuit (shop around for the least expensive type). This usually changes the orientation of the plug blades so that it’s impossible to mix 12V DC and 120V AC loads and circuits. Add the appropriate plug to each 12V load.

Polarity is another issue with DC. Incandescent lights and simple heating circuits don’t really care about polarity, but you must observe proper polarity (pos. or neg.) for LEDs, high-frequency fluorescent lamps, stereos, and many other DC loads. This is easily handled by the newer style of plugs and receptacles that permit insertion in only one way. These will ensure correct polarity in wiring plug and receptacle, as will the use of 3-prong plugs.


Wiring

Overall, 12V DC wiring will require a larger gauge of wire for even modest loads. Wire size increases rapidly with any length. Here, preparation and creativity go a long way
toward minimizing the expense and labor while retaining full capability.

What do you want to do and where? Special low-voltage wiring tables will assist you in sizing wire for specific loads at varying distances.

There is also merit in the idea of running a branch line of large wire to the far side of the house where it can be distributed from a second, smaller fuse box to loads in that area. Large-gauge wire is stiff and awkward to route; plan accordingly. Use 12-gauge wire “fingers” from a bigger gauge wire to ease connections to receptacles and switches.

Use junction boxes for wire gauges of #8 and larger. Relatively short lengths of #12 wire leading from these to loads and receptacles will incur only small losses.


Switches

Switches designed to handle 120V AC may fail in use with 12V DC. The arc produced when a standard AC lightswitch opens (turns off) a DC circuit will be hotter and last longer.

Figure 1 - A capacitor will reduce arcing in a switch in a DC circuit
Figure 1 – A capacitor will reduce arcing in a switch in a DC circuit

Absolutely avoid “silent” switch types; they open way too slow. Either way, the DC arc will eventually (if not immediately) burn a switch’s contacts. It is possible to add a capacitor across the switch to suppress this arc (Figure 1).

Figure 2 - Series-wiring of multiple-pole switches reduces arcing
Figure 2 – Series-wiring of multiple-pole switches reduces arcing

Or to wire a switch with multiple poles in series (not parallel; see Figure 2) to help it survive this arc. Of course, you may also find and install switches rated to switch DC current.

Resource: January/February 2000 Backwoods Home Magazine

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Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

9 Comments


  1. Vijay Prasad
    Jul 06, 2023

    What will be the problem? If I suppose to do electrical wiring in the same panel for both 24 volt DC and 230 volt AC.?

    In operation point of view..


  2. Sudip Basnet
    Jan 04, 2022

    Can the negative wire of Ac current and dc current be same?


  3. Rahul Iype
    Feb 25, 2020

    Can you please let me know the Electrical code which specifies that AC and DC cannot be used in the same enclosure.


  4. Sam Li
    Dec 10, 2018

    I like your tip about avoiding “silent” switch types because they open too slow. Finding the right switch for your AC current is vital to the proper cooling of your home. If I were to need such a switch for my system, I would make a sure effort to locate the best equipment supplier in my area in order to get the best quality.


  5. Biju A M
    May 04, 2018

    Is there any problem of electric induction if AC and DC are connected through same pvc pipe (channel) in a house connection


  6. kiyoumi123
    Jul 13, 2013

    Mr. Edvard, I would like to introduce to you, ADC Power System. ADC Power System is subsidiary of Boltier Research and Development, Inc. Boltier R&D is a company owned by inventor and CEO, Mr. Hun Yong Choe and associates. Our innovative and revolutionary circuit system can use existing AC power line for BOTH AC and DC electronic devices. Our system do not need to install new power lines and uses existing power lines. Inventor Mr. Choe discover the idea of using AC and DC in a same power circuit. Are you interested? I believe that Mr. Choe solved the problem existed between Edison and Tesla. Leave a reply.


  7. rscott4563
    May 21, 2013

    Erm….really?

    I think the author needs to go back and look at this article again, the first thing which really jumps out is Fig.2 regarding ‘Parallel’ or ‘Series’ wiring of contacts, completely incorrect!

    We need to be more careful about publishing articles which have not been peer reviewed first as many people would take what is published on a website such as this as gospel, which could cause some serious problems….


  8. terry.noble
    May 21, 2013

    I thought AC 120 Volt receptacles were approved for AC 120 Volts ONLY. How are we allowed to use a receptacle that creates a probable dangerous condition? It isn’t.


  9. vrp74
    Jul 19, 2012

    Mr. Edvard, In AC DC together artical, series parallel connection of switches I got doubt. In parallel connection also total current is devided in three part and arc will be less. in series connection current will be 3 times than parallel and voltage will be devided by 3

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