Induction and power transmission

A changing magnetic flux induces a voltage, which is how generators and transformers work and why grids use alternating current.

A worked example

A transformer with 200 turns on the primary and 20 on the secondary steps 4 000 V down to 400 V, a ratio of ten to one.

The mistake people actually make

A steady magnetic field induces nothing; only a change in flux does. Transmission at high voltage cuts the current, and line loss goes as current squared, so halving the current quarters the loss.

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