# Power loss in transmission lines

by IniquiTrance
Tags: lines, loss, power, transmission
 P: 183 1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data A power station delivers 890 kW of power at 12 kV to a factory through wires with total resistance 5.0 $$\Omega$$. How much less power is wasted if the electricity is delivered at 50 kV rather than 12 kV? 2. Relevant equations eq-1) P = IV eq-2) P = I2R Ohm's Law: V = IR 3. The attempt at a solution I know the problem can be solved by solving for the current value in each case from eq-1, and plugging it in to eq-2 to calculate power loss. My real question is why can't we apply Ohm's law to calculate I, and then plug it into eq-2? Why must we use eq-1 to get the current? Doesn't Ohm's law apply for all ohmic conductors, and since we have both the resistance and voltage of and across the conductor, can't we get the current that way? Thanks!
 PF Patron HW Helper P: 3,394 If you apply Ohm's Law to the line resistance, you would need to know the voltage drop in the line. If you apply it to the load plus the line, you would have to use the combined resistance of line and load. You could use the power formula to find the load resistance, then use Ohm's Law to find the current.
P: 183
 Quote by Delphi51 If you apply Ohm's Law to the line resistance, you would need to know the voltage drop in the line. If you apply it to the load plus the line, you would have to use the combined resistance of line and load. You could use the power formula to find the load resistance, then use Ohm's Law to find the current.

So when you have a 12kV transmission line, what is the 12 kV drop across? The negative terminal is obviously at the powerplant, the positive, after passing through the load, back at the powerplant?

PF Patron
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P: 3,394

## Power loss in transmission lines

 A power station delivers 890 kW of power at 12 kV to a factory
The wording is careful, as it should be, to make it clear that the potential at the load is 12 Kv. It will have to be larger at the source to make up for the loss in the line resistance.

Virtually all transmission lines are AC, so there is no negative or positive terminal.
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P: 8,962
 Quote by IniquiTrance so when you have a 12kV transmission line, what is the 12 kV drop across?
It's between the output of the power line and ground - and in an ideal world is the same as the difference between the input to the powerline and ground.

This confuses everybody who first sees this question - do a search here and you will see dozens of threads on it!
 P: 183 Thank you! I have a much better understanding of the concept now.
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