Übertragungsverluste

Übertragungsverluste, also known as transmission losses or power losses, refer to the energy that is dissipated as heat during the transfer of electrical energy from a source to a load. These losses occur in various components of an electrical system, including power lines, transformers, and other conductive materials.

The primary cause of Übertragungsverluste is the electrical resistance of the conductors. As current flows through a conductor, it encounters resistance, which impedes the flow of electrons. This impedance converts some of the electrical energy into thermal energy, which is then lost to the surroundings. The magnitude of these resistive losses is described by Joule's law, which states that the power dissipated is proportional to the square of the current and the resistance of the conductor.

Another significant factor contributing to Übertragungsverluste is inductive and capacitive reactance, particularly in alternating current (AC) systems. While resistance causes purely resistive losses, these reactive components can lead to energy being stored and released in magnetic and electric fields, respectively, resulting in phase shifts between voltage and current and further energy dissipation.

Übertragungsverluste are unavoidable in any electrical transmission system. However, their minimization is a crucial aspect of efficient power delivery. Strategies to reduce these losses include using conductors with lower resistance (e.g., thicker wires or materials like copper or aluminum), increasing the voltage of transmission to decrease the current for a given power level (as losses are proportional to the square of the current), and improving the design and material of transformers and other components. High-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission is also employed for very long distances as it can significantly reduce losses compared to AC transmission under certain conditions.