Why does OSSA Powerlite use DC power instead of AC?
Any system that incorporates a variable-speed motor (all electric marine propulsion systems) uses both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) voltage at various points between power generation and torque output. Therefore, whether a system is referred to as “AC” or “DC” is generally a question of the form the electricity takes while is is being transmitted. In other words, if the power on the main buss is “DC”, then the system is referred to as being a DC system. While it may sound academic, the choice of maintaining the buss as AC or DC power has a significant impact on system safety and how it interacts with other non-propulsion house systems. Our Technical Library contains a detailed discussion of the subject and an explanation of how OSSA Powerlite’s choice of DC power increases system safety by 5x over that of an AC system while enhancing the performance, compatibility and reliability of other, non-propulsion systems.
