I2Rverlies

I2Rverlies, often written as I^2R-verlies, is a term used in electrical engineering to describe the resistive (ohmic) power losses that occur when electric current passes through a conductor or electrical component. The concept is based on Ohm's law and Joule heating, and the loss is proportional to the square of the current and the resistance of the path.

The mathematical expression for I2Rverlies is P = I^2 R, where P is the power dissipated as heat, I is the current through the conductor, and R is its resistance. This means that doubling the current increases losses by a factor of four, all else being equal, and increasing the resistance (for example due to material choice or temperature) also raises losses.

I2Rverlies is a major consideration in many electrical devices and systems, including transmission lines, transformers, cables, and electric motors. In power transmission, these losses contribute to reduced efficiency and additional heat that must be managed by cooling systems. Resistance tends to increase with temperature, creating a feedback loop where heating raises losses further unless controlled.

Mitigation strategies focus on reducing current, increasing conductor cross-sectional area to lower resistance, or using materials with lower resistivity. At higher voltages, power can be transmitted with lower currents, reducing I2Rverlies. Other approaches include improving cooling to keep resistance from rising with temperature and, in some applications, employing conductors or technologies with lower effective resistance.