On 28/07/2014 15:14, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 28/07/14 13:31, newshound wrote:


But the power isn't lost *in* the dielectric, its lost in driving the
current down the wires *to* the dielectric.

You are quite right, of course. But the term "dielectric loss" is the
one which CEGB trainers used to use when lecturing mixed classes of
mathematicians, physicists, and all types of engineer to explain why
pylons were the prefered method of transmission, with underground cables
the least desirable from the viewpoint of efficiency.

It's a convenient if not very precise shorthand.


Its not. It is plain WRONG because 'dielectric' losses are losses
incurred IN a dielectric due to it having e.g. resistance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dielectric_loss


Agreed. But this was in the days before wikipedia. The difference really
doesn't matter to graduate civil or mechanical engineers, while
physicists and electrical engineers would not need to have to have it
explained; at least in those days.