0

So let's say power to be delivered to homes is 80 kW($P_3$ = 80 kW) and the houses have to receive it at 220 V ($V_3$ = 220 V). The substation is a 4000 V to 220 V step-down transformer and $R_2=15\ \Omega$.

It says that the power loss is $I^2R$, and I understand that here it has to be $I_2^2R_2$. But I'm confused about P=IV and V=IR, why is $I_2^2R_2$ not equal to $I_2V_2$? Why is $V_2$ not equal to $I_2R_2$? Could someone please explain what's going on here?

(Here the power loss is 60 kW so the power plant has to supply 140 kW (60 kW + 80 kW).)

Enter image description here

Qmechanic
  • 201,751
sam
  • 15
  • 4

1 Answers1

0

why is $I^2_2R^2$ not equal to $I_2V_2$?

Let $V_2$ be the (AC) voltage across at the source (left) end of the transmission lines. $I_2R_2$ is the voltage drop from the source end to the load (right) end. That is, the load end of the transmission line has voltage $V_2 - I_2R_2$ across which is lower than the source end.

The drawing could be better in this regard by explicitly labeling the voltage across at each end of the transmission line.

The product $I_2V_2$ is the AC power (assuming unity power factor) delivered to the transmission lines. The product $I_2(V_2 - I_2R_2)$ is the power delivered to the step-down transformer which is lower than that delivered to the transmission lines. Thus, the power lost to heating the transmission lines is $I^2_2R_2$

Alfred Centauri
  • 59,560