1. What is Cable Power Loss?

Cable power loss refers to the energy dissipated as heat in electrical cables due to their resistance. This loss occurs when current flows through the cable and is proportional to the square of the current and the cable's resistance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the power loss formula:

Where:

• \( P_{loss} \) — Power loss in watts (W)
• \( I \) — Current in amperes (A)
• \( R \) — Resistance per meter in ohms per meter (Ω/m)
• \( L \) — Length of cable in meters (m)

Explanation: The formula calculates the total power loss by multiplying the square of the current by the resistance per unit length and the total cable length.

3. Importance of Power Loss Calculation

Details: Calculating power loss is essential for electrical system design, energy efficiency optimization, cable sizing, and preventing overheating in electrical installations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter current in amperes, resistance per meter in ohms per meter, and cable length in meters. All values must be positive numbers greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does power loss increase with the square of current?
A: Power loss is proportional to I²R because both voltage drop (V=IR) and power (P=VI) depend on current, resulting in P=I²R.

Q2: How can I reduce cable power loss?
A: Use cables with lower resistance (larger cross-sectional area), reduce cable length, or lower the current by increasing voltage for the same power.

Q3: What is typical resistance for common cables?
A: Resistance varies by cable size and material. For example, 2.5mm² copper cable has about 0.0075 Ω/m, while 16mm² has about 0.0012 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 critical?
A: Critical for long cable runs, high-current applications, renewable energy systems, and situations where energy efficiency is important.