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Cable Power Loss Formula:
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The Cable Power Loss Formula calculates the power dissipated as heat due to electrical resistance in a cable. This is important for determining energy efficiency and thermal management in electrical systems.
The calculator uses the power loss formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the power dissipated as heat due to the resistance of the cable when current flows through it. The power loss increases with the square of the current, making high-current applications particularly sensitive to cable resistance.
Details: Calculating power loss is crucial for designing efficient electrical systems, selecting appropriate cable sizes, preventing overheating, and minimizing energy waste in power transmission and distribution.
Tips: Enter current in amperes, resistance in ohms per meter, and cable length in meters. All values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: Why does power loss increase with the square of current?
A: Because power loss is calculated as I²R, where both voltage drop and current contribute to power dissipation according to Joule's law of heating.
Q2: How can I reduce power loss in cables?
A: Use cables with lower resistance (larger cross-sectional area), reduce cable length where possible, or use higher voltage to reduce current for the same power transmission.
Q3: What is typical resistance for common cable sizes?
A: Resistance varies with cable material and size. Copper cables typically range from 0.0001 to 0.1 Ω/m depending on cross-sectional area.
Q4: Does temperature affect cable resistance?
A: Yes, most conductors have positive temperature coefficients, meaning resistance increases with temperature, which can create a thermal runaway scenario.
Q5: When is power loss calculation most critical?
A: In long cable runs, high-current applications, battery-powered systems, and situations where thermal management is challenging.