Small aircraft often have 24-V electrical systems rather
than the 12-V systems in automobiles, even though the electrical power requirements are roughly the same in both applications. The explanation given by aircraft designers is that a 24-V system weighs less than a 12-V system because thinner wires can be used. ExplaID why this is so.

Question

Small aircraft often have 24-V electrical systems rather
than the 12-V systems in automobiles, even though the electrical power requirements are roughly the same in both applications. The explanation given by aircraft designers is that a 24-V system weighs less than a 12-V system because thinner wires can be used. ExplaID why this is so.

anonymous · Answer

because electricity transmitted with high voltage produces less heat loss.
that is why for the same kind of cable, low voltage electricity transmission will produce more heat loss than the high voltage transmission.