Electricity- Power dissipation formula question

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SUMMARY

Alternating current (AC) is preferred for residential power distribution over direct current (DC) due to its efficiency in transmission. The power dissipation formula, W = I²R, indicates that reducing current significantly decreases power loss in transmission lines. By increasing voltage, current can be lowered, allowing the same power to be transmitted with reduced losses. However, high voltage is unsafe for domestic use, necessitating the use of transformers to step down the voltage for safe consumption.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of AC and DC electrical systems
  • Familiarity with the power dissipation formula W = I²R
  • Knowledge of transformers, specifically step-up and step-down transformers
  • Basic principles of electrical power transmission
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the operation and applications of step-up and step-down transformers
  • Explore the differences in efficiency between AC and DC transmission systems
  • Learn about safety measures in high-voltage AC transmission
  • Investigate the impact of resistance in electrical wiring on power loss
USEFUL FOR

Electrical engineers, students studying power systems, and professionals involved in electrical transmission and distribution will benefit from this discussion.

cambalacus
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Homework Statement


while surfing the internet i stumbled upon the following question:
Why ac(alternating current) is used to power houses instead of DC?

Answer:The answer lies in the transmission lines for the electricity. The wires have a defined resistance, and when current passes through them there is a power loss given by
W (power) = I (current) squared x R (resistance)

Clearly, lowering the current reduces the power loss considerably. The power transmitted is given by
W = V (voltage) x I, so we could multiply the voltage by 100, reduce the current by 100, transmit the same power, and reduce the loss in the wires by 10000.
This high voltage is desperately unsafe in the domestic situation, so it must be reduced. Reducing DC is very difficult, so it is much easier to use AC.

Homework Equations


How can one lower the current without lowering the voltages and, at the same time,without changing the resistance of the wires?
 
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Please go through the principle of step up and step down transformer.
 
Power must be conserved so that power in must equal power out (taking into account losses). Since power, in its simplest form, equals current multiplied by voltage you can readily see what must necessarily happen to the voltage when the current is reduced.

There's your answer.
 

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