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partialfracti
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I have read that most power lines on utility poles in residential neighborhoods carry about 4800 volts. My sources say that the transformers on utility poles decrease the voltage from 4800 volts to about 220 volts in most houses. Someone told me that the utility companies decrease the voltage sent to houses from 4800 volts to 220 volts to make the electrical power in houses less likely to kill a person who is shocked. That answer seemed plausible to me until I learned that transformers decrease voltage by increasing enough current that the total power output never changes.
Why do utility companies decrease the voltage sent to houses to 110 or 220 volts instead of 4800 volts?
Why do utility companies decrease the voltage sent to houses to 110 or 220 volts instead of 4800 volts?