An engineering company is hired to improve the efficiency of a transmission line. In their report, they discuss ways that will allow them to reduce the current by a factor of four. Assuming that this is done, by what factor will the power losses be reduced?
2 years ago
Answered By Ryan H
The definition of electrical power is P = I V, where I is current and V is potential.
A transmission line should deliver an electrical potential over a distance. So here we can assume the V is a constant.
Then you might see that P is directly proportional to I, and so a fourfold reduction of current will lead to a fourfold reduction in power.
But if you like using symbols or algebra, just add subscripts for initial P and I and final P and I:
P0 = I0V (definition of electrical power)
I1 = I0/4 (relationship of final current to initial current)
P1 = I0V/4 = P0/4 (final power is one quarter of initial power)
2 years ago
Answered By Ryan H
The definition of electrical power is P = I V, where I is current and V is potential.
A transmission line should deliver an electrical potential over a distance. So here we can assume the V is a constant.
Then you might see that P is directly proportional to I, and so a fourfold reduction of current will lead to a fourfold reduction in power.
But if you like using symbols or algebra, just add subscripts for initial P and I and final P and I:
P0 = I0V (definition of electrical power)
I1 = I0/4 (relationship of final current to initial current)
P1 = I0V/4 = P0/4 (final power is one quarter of initial power)