Propagation of Zero-Frequency Waves in Wireless and Wired Systems

Abstract

The inaugural article in JMMCT's “Explaining the Unexplained” series raised a fundamental question about DC power transmission: is it transmitted by electromagnetic waves, like AC power? Its authors believe so; they believe that DC waves exist, even though this may seem difficult to accept due to the absence of electromagnetic coupling at zero frequency. The present paper aims to contribute to finding a comprehensive answer to this challenging question, considering separately the cases of wireless and wired transmission systems, and examining DC and quasi-DC electromagnetic fields, in the context of classical electromagnetism. Based on Maxwell's equations, we show, theoretically, that quasi-DC wave propagation and quasi-AC wave propagation are absolutely similar when it comes to wired systems (transmission lines), but not so in the case of wireless systems (antenna radiation) that are unable to support quasi-DC waves. The presence or absence of electric charges, at rest or in motion, in the space between the energy source and the energy receiver is key to this discussion.