Home
Back
Power Loss Formula:
| From: | To: |
Power loss in electrical cables refers to the energy dissipated as heat due to the resistance of the conductor. This loss occurs when current flows through the cable and is proportional to the square of the current, the resistance, and the length of the cable.
The calculator uses the power loss formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula demonstrates that power loss increases with the square of the current, making current the most significant factor in cable power dissipation.
Details: Calculating power loss is essential for electrical system design, energy efficiency optimization, cable sizing, and preventing overheating in electrical installations.
Tips: Enter current in amperes, resistance per unit length in ohms per meter, and cable length in meters. All values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: Why does power loss increase with the square of current?
A: According to Joule's law, power dissipation in a resistor is proportional to I²R. Doubling the current quadruples the power loss.
Q2: How can I reduce power loss in cables?
A: Use cables with lower resistance (thicker conductors), reduce current by increasing voltage, or shorten cable lengths where possible.
Q3: What is typical resistance per unit length for common cables?
A: This varies by cable size and material. For example, 2.5mm² copper cable has approximately 0.0075 Ω/m, while 10mm² has about 0.0018 Ω/m.
Q4: Does temperature affect cable resistance?
A: Yes, resistance increases with temperature. For copper, resistance increases by about 0.4% per °C temperature rise.
Q5: When is power loss calculation most critical?
A: Critical in long cable runs, high-current applications, renewable energy systems, and situations where energy efficiency is a priority.