Losses in transmission lines

There exist three types of losses during power transmission through copper cables. They are copper losses, dielectric losses and radiation (induction) losses. Copper losses are due to the resistance of the conductors. Here energy is dissipated in the form of heat. Loss may also occur due to skin effect where expanding and collapsing electric fields about each electron encircle other electrons. As a result of skin effect, encircled electrons suffer retardation leading to power loss. If there is a dielectric material between the conductors, it will result in dielectric loss. Polyethylene dielectric material is preferred in conductors which causes feeble dielectric loss. Induction losses arise when the electromagnetic field about a conductor cuts through any nearby metallic object and a current is induced in that object. This is a power dissipation loss. When some magnetic lines of force about a conductor fails to return to the conductor during cycle alternation, causes radiation losses.