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Power Loss Formula:
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Cable power loss calculation determines the amount of electrical power dissipated as heat in a cable due to its resistance. This is crucial for electrical system design, efficiency analysis, and safety considerations.
The calculator uses the power loss formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates power dissipation due to I²R losses, where current squared multiplied by resistance gives power loss per unit length, then multiplied by total cable length.
Details: Accurate power loss calculation is essential for determining system efficiency, selecting appropriate cable sizes, preventing overheating, and optimizing energy consumption in electrical installations.
Tips: Enter current in amperes, resistance per unit length in Ω/m, and cable length in meters. All values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: Why is power loss proportional to current squared?
A: Power loss follows Joule's law (P = I²R), where power dissipation increases with the square of current due to resistive heating effects.
Q2: How does cable length affect power loss?
A: Power loss increases linearly with cable length since resistance is directly proportional to length for uniform cables.
Q3: What factors affect cable resistance?
A: Cable resistance depends on material (copper, aluminum), cross-sectional area, temperature, and frequency (for AC systems).
Q4: How can power loss be minimized?
A: Use cables with larger cross-sectional area, higher conductivity materials, shorter cable runs, or higher voltage systems to reduce current.
Q5: Is this calculation applicable to both AC and DC systems?
A: For DC systems, this calculation is direct. For AC systems, additional factors like skin effect and power factor may need consideration.