What notable loss occurs when transmitting Direct Current over long distances?

What notable loss occurs when transmitting Direct Current over long distances?

• A. Phase shift
• B. Current increase
• C. Voltage loss
• D. Heat generation

Answer: (C)

Direct current over long distances mainly suffers from voltage drop caused by the line’s resistance. The conductor has a finite resistance, so the voltage diminishes along the length by V_drop = I × R as current flows. The farther the distance (and the higher the current for a given power), the more voltage is lost before it reaches the load. Heat generation (I^2R losses) is a byproduct of that resistance and is related, but the notable observable effect for long DC runs is the decrease in voltage at the receiving end. Phase shifts don’t occur with DC, since there’s no alternating reactance involved, and current doesn’t inherently increase along the line.

Direct current over long distances mainly suffers from voltage drop caused by the line’s resistance. The conductor has a finite resistance, so the voltage diminishes along the length by V_drop = I × R as current flows. The farther the distance (and the higher the current for a given power), the more voltage is lost before it reaches the load. Heat generation (I^2R losses) is a byproduct of that resistance and is related, but the notable observable effect for long DC runs is the decrease in voltage at the receiving end. Phase shifts don’t occur with DC, since there’s no alternating reactance involved, and current doesn’t inherently increase along the line.