3 ms·

Does having a higher voltage make a substantial difference in the quantity of copper used?

• ajuc 7y ago
  Twice the voltage - four times the power with same loses and same wire. And resistance is inversely proportional to the area of the cross-section of the wire. So, if you want the same power - you can use 2 times less copper with 2 times higher voltage.
  • mariuolo 7y ago
    I understand that. Does it have a particular meaning on a large scale? I mean, is infrastructure overall cheaper in that regard? Are wires less likely to be stolen? Things of that sort.
    • Glawen 7y ago
      For sure it is cheaper. On the scale of a house, it is not so much, i spent maybe 300€ of wires alone for my house (mix of 1.5 and 2.5mm2). But you need also to add the manpower cost. With 240V 16A (standard for a 5 plug circuit) breaker you can wire your house with 1.5mm2 wires. For 20A you need 2.5mm2 wires, and for stove (32A) you need 4mm2. By experience, I can tell you that wiring your house with 2.5mm2 is way harder to manipulate (bending, taking turns etc...) than the flexible 1.5mm2, and you need bigger enclosure in the walls. Your electrician will charge you higher because of this. Edit: section for copper, with aluminium you need a higher cross section Edit 2: my god, in the US you need a wire awg12 (4mm2) for a 20A 120V plug, to have a mere 2400W. This can be wired in europe with 1.5mm2 wires on 16A breaker, and you have 3800W of useful power ! It must be a pain to be electrician in the US
      • deleted 7y ago
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