Could the Conductors You're Using Be Causing Energy Loss?
When we think about energy efficiency, we tend to think of the energy-saving light bulbs from a few years ago, or nowadays of LED fixtures and bulbs, of appliances with a green Class A label as mentioned in Colombia by RETIQ, similarly of solar panels, and even of compliance with the ISO 50001 standard. But we rarely think of something as simple yet essential as electrical conductors. And ironically, that could be a very costly mistake.
What if I told you that a significant portion of the energy you consume is lost before it even reaches turning on a light bulb or spinning a refrigerator's motor? And that this loss has a lot to do with what type of conductor you are using? At Procables, a Prysmian brand, we want you to become aware of the importance of proper conductor sizing in your electrical projects and how to add value for your clients in the efficient and sustainable future of their installations.
The Hidden Resistance: Cables Also Consume Energy
Every electrical conductor, even the purest copper, offers resistance to the flow of current. This resistance generates heat, and that heat is nothing more than wasted energy.
Now imagine this: if your electrical installation is undersized, meaning if the cables are too thin for the load they carry, the losses due to the Joule effect skyrocket. That energy will heat up walls, ceilings, and the pocket of the one paying the bill.
It's like trying to transport water through a very narrow hose: the pressure increases, the flow is hindered, and a huge amount of energy is wasted just by friction. Electricity does the same thing in a poorly chosen cable.
Why Do Electrical Cables Lose Energy?
When electricity flows through a cable, not all of it reaches the final destination. Part of that energy is lost along the way. But how does that happen?
Imagine this:
You're pushing a box across a carpet. The longer the carpet and the heavier the box, the more effort you need to exert. Part of your energy is transformed into heat due to friction.
Something similar happens to electricity. In this case, the "friction" is the electrical resistance of the cable. And yes: that resistance generates heat.
The Joule Effect: The Cause of the Losses
Every time an electric current passes through a conductor with resistance, part of the energy is converted into heat. This is called the Joule Effect, and it is calculated as follows:
Heat Loss = I² × R
- I = Current (Amperes)
- R = Cable Resistance (Ohms)
This means that if you double the current, the loss doesn't double, it quadruples! That's why poorly dimensioned cables (too thin for the load they carry) lose much more energy.
How Much Energy is Lost by Poorly Selecting the Conductor Gauge?
Let's take a real example: a 50-meter cable powering a 2,000 W lighting system. If the cable is the appropriate gauge, the loss could be less than 2%. But if it's an undersized, low-cost cable, that loss can rise to 10% or more. In annual terms, that can represent tens of kilowatt-hours thrown away... literally.
And it's not just a money problem. Chronic overload and heating not only shorten the lifespan of equipment but also increase fire risks and, paradoxically, make supposedly efficient systems... not so efficient.
The Paradox of the Invisible
This is the point: cables are hidden. Behind walls, ceilings, conduits. We don't see them. And because we don't see them, we are not aware of them. But energy efficiency starts long before the power outlet.
Choosing the right conductor: the correct gauge, the appropriate material, and the necessary type of insulation is not just a matter of technical regulations or compliance with RETIE. Correct conductor selection with the help of experts is a silent investment in safety, durability, and savings.
So Then? Is Your Electrical Installation Efficient?
I invite you to ask yourself this question: Are the conductors you have the ones you really need? Because if they are not, your system is working harder than necessary. And you are paying for it.
Reviewing an installation, correctly calculating the load, choosing conductors with technical criteria... all of that has a real impact. More real than many costly solutions that only address the symptoms of the problem, not the cause.
Sometimes, the most critical part of energy efficiency is not about changing what you see, but about rethinking what you were never taught to look at.
And Can You Get Specialized Support for Calculating Your Conductors?
Of course you can. Through our website, you can find CableApp, a free professional application from Prysmian that helps you calculate the cross-section of electrical cables for low voltage, medium voltage, and for each type of installation, taking into account the optimal section in economic and sustainability terms, all according to current standards and regulations. This tool will allow you to calculate the total energy savings on your electricity bill and the annual CO2 emissions, providing possible alternative solutions from an optimal point of view, designed for professionals in the sector such as installers, consultants, engineers, and students.
And How to Avoid Those Losses?
- Choose the correct conductor gauge according to the load it will carry.
- Avoid excessively long cables, or compensate by using a larger cross-section.
- Use appropriate materials (for example, good quality copper).
- Check connections and splices, as they also introduce resistance.
