Table of Contents
Why power transmission cables are thicker?
The resistance of the transmission wire is lowered by making the wire thicker. Thicker wires have larger cross-sectional areas and therefore lower resistance.
Should power lines be thick or thin?
The thin wire will conduct electricity, but there is more electrical resistance. The thicker wire is like the four lane highway. There’s a lot less electrical resistance, and as a result, that light bulb burns brighter because more electricity can reach it.
Why are power lines insulated?
(Underground lines are insulated, both for the safety of the walkers above and to protect the lines from shovels and the like.) The biggest overhead power lines can carry more than 700,000 volts, but deadly accidents occur with smaller lines that carry just a few hundred volts.
Why are transmission lines thin?
As electricity is transmitted over long distances, there are inherent energy losses along the way. The lower current that accompanies high voltage transmission reduces resistance in the conductors as electricity flows along the cables. This means that thin, light-weight wires can be used in long-distance transmission.
What happens if wire is too thick?
The smaller the wire diameter, the higher the resistance there will be to the flow of energy. When you have high resistance you create heat, which can turn into a fire hazard. If the wire is large then large amount of current flows through circuit.
Are power lines copper or aluminum?
The bare wire conductors on the line are generally made of aluminum (either plain or reinforced with steel or composite materials such as carbon and glass fiber), though some copper wires are used in medium-voltage distribution and low-voltage connections to customer premises.
Why are transmission lines so tall?
Higher voltages on power lines require more space between each line and other objects, allowing people, vehicles and other equipment to move freely underneath. For this reason, transmission towers usually stand 55 feet to 150 feet high.