Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 7:38-8:22

How the Royal Navy settled on AC electrical power

The postwar Daring-class trials show how the Royal Navy compared AC and DC arrangements before standardizing.

Daring Class Destroyers (1949)Live Q&ANaval HistoryRoyal NavyWarship Electrical Systems
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Question

When did the Royal Navy change from DC to AC power aboard ship?

Short answer

After the Second World War, following comparative AC and DC installations in the Daring-class destroyers.

Notes

The Royal Navy was still comparing alternating- and direct-current arrangements after the Second World War. Rather than impose one system immediately, the service used the Daring-class program as a comparative trial. Four destroyers received AC generating arrangements and four received DC. Their operating experience informed the Royal Navy's eventual standardization on AC power.