When electricity is transmitted over long distances, the resistance of the wires causes the voltage to drop. This drop in voltage can be significant, especially if the transmission distance is long or the current flowing is high. To compensate for this voltage drop, electric utility companies increase the voltage of the electricity before it is transmitted.
The power loss in a transmission line is given by the following formula:
$$ P_{loss} = I^2 * R $$
Where:
* Ploss is the power loss in watts
* I is the current flowing through the line in amps
* R is the resistance of the line in ohms
As the formula shows, the power loss is proportional to the square of the current. So, if the current is doubled, the power loss will be quadrupled.
By increasing the voltage of the electricity, the current flowing through the line can be reduced. This reduces the power loss and allows more of the electricity to reach the customer.
In addition to reducing power loss, increasing the voltage of the electricity also allows for more efficient transmission. This is because high voltage electricity can be transmitted over thinner wires than low voltage electricity. This can save money on the cost of materials and installation.
