Voltage is the electromotive force or potential difference that pushes electrons through a conductor. Measured in volts, it represents the work required to move a charge between two points in a system. In power engineering, maintaining stable voltage is necessary for delivering power efficiently, and excessive voltage can cause insulation breakdown or catastrophic flashovers.
We're seeing a severe voltage drop at the end of the feeder due to the heavy inductive load from the new mill.
Also heard as
- potential difference
- electromotive force
- tension
Related terms
Electric potential
The amount of work energy needed to move a unit of electric charge from a reference point to a specific location.
Flashover voltage
The specific potential difference at which an electrical discharge bridges the gap across or along an insulator.
Touch voltage
Voltage a person bridges between a hand on faulted metalwork and their feet or other hand during a fault.