At what voltage is electricity generated?

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Multiple Choice

At what voltage is electricity generated?

Electricity is generated at relatively high voltage to keep transmission losses low. Power equals voltage times current, so increasing the voltage allows the same amount of power to be sent with a smaller current, reducing I^2R losses in the lines. In most power plants, generators produce about 13,800 to 24,000 volts, which is then stepped up by transformers for long-distance transmission and eventually stepped down for distribution to homes and businesses. The other options aren’t generation voltages: 120/240 volts is typical residential service after step-down, not how electricity is produced; 1,000,000 volts is far above standard generation levels and not used as a generation standard; 480 volts is a common industrial distribution voltage, not the voltage at which electricity is generated.

Electricity is generated at relatively high voltage to keep transmission losses low. Power equals voltage times current, so increasing the voltage allows the same amount of power to be sent with a smaller current, reducing I^2R losses in the lines. In most power plants, generators produce about 13,800 to 24,000 volts, which is then stepped up by transformers for long-distance transmission and eventually stepped down for distribution to homes and businesses.

The other options aren’t generation voltages: 120/240 volts is typical residential service after step-down, not how electricity is produced; 1,000,000 volts is far above standard generation levels and not used as a generation standard; 480 volts is a common industrial distribution voltage, not the voltage at which electricity is generated.

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