Question

When picking a transformer for a factory, what exact formula do you use to balance the voltage drop over a long distance so the machines do not lose power?

Accepted Answer

To stop machines from losing power over long wires, you use Ohm&#x27;s Law. The formula is V equals I times R. In this case, V is the voltage drop, which is the energy lost along the wire. I is the current, or the amount of electricity flowing to your machines. R is the resistance, which is how much the wire fights that electricity. Think of it like water in a garden hose; if the hose is too long or narrow, the water pressure drops before it reaches the end. To keep the power steady, you need to keep the voltage drop low. You do this by making sure your wire is thick enough to lower the resistance, or by using a transformer to step up the voltage before sending it down the line. A transformer is a device that changes electricity from one voltage to another. When you send electricity at a higher voltage, the current stays lower, which means the wire doesn&#x27;t lose as much energy along the way. Your goal is to keep the drop below three percent of your total voltage so your machines have enough strength to run right.

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When picking a transformer for a factory, what exact formula do you use to balance the voltage drop over a long distance so the machines do not lose power?

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