Why Is Electrical Power Conducted at High Voltages?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the reasons for conducting electrical power at high voltages, exploring the implications for current, heat generation, and engineering design considerations. It includes theoretical aspects and practical engineering challenges.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the rationale behind high voltage power conduction, suggesting it may increase current and heat generation based on the formula P = V * I.
  • Another participant argues that for a given power, increasing voltage actually decreases current, which reduces the amount of copper needed for conductors, thus lowering costs, weight, and size.
  • A third participant emphasizes the relationship between power, voltage, and current, reiterating that higher voltage allows for lower current to transmit the same power.
  • A later reply introduces the concept of power factor, stating that to minimize current and associated losses in power lines, a higher voltage is necessary.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present differing perspectives on the implications of high voltage for current and heat generation, with no consensus reached on the best approach or understanding of the topic.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about electrical principles and engineering trade-offs, but does not resolve the complexities involved in high voltage power transmission.

electro_DS
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Hey guys why is power conducted at very high voltages? doesn't that increase the current and thus the heat generated because p=v.i?
 
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You are looking at it the wrong way round, if you are designing an alternator for a given power the current flow will decrease as the voltage increases, having lower current means that you need less copper to conduct the current thus keeping your costs, weight and size down. There is a problem the higher the voltage the harder it is to insulate the windings, as in all engineering you end up with a compromise
 
If you're going to dabble in electricity it's important to get straight in your head the basic quantities' names and meaniings

Charge
Current
Potential
Energy
Power

The answer to your question is in your question: ""because p=v.i? ""
Indeed , Power = volts X amps
To transmit a given power, the more volts you have the fewer amps you need to accomplish that.

old jim
 
Just to throw my two cents here;

Technically P = V*I*cos(θ)
So, in order to have a small amount of current, which also reduces losses in power lines (P = R * I^2), you need a higher voltage.
 

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