Utility company power lines typically carry which type of current?

Utility company power lines typically carry alternating current (AC). This is because AC is more efficient for transmitting electricity over long distances. The ability to easily change the voltage of AC makes it ideal for reducing energy loss during transmission. High voltages allow electricity to travel long distances with less heat generated, which is vital for the infrastructure of power distribution across cities and regions.

Direct current (DC), while useful for certain applications like batteries and electronic devices, is not as efficient for long-distance energy transmission due to its inability to easily change voltage levels. Battery current generally refers to a type of DC used in batteries, which is not applicable to utility-scale power lines. Static current is not a term used in electrical engineering for the transmission of power, as it refers to a buildup of electric charge that is typically not utilized in power lines.