JN>  SH> (1) Why do mains transmission lines ("power lines") transmit
JN>  SH> alternating current more efficiently (with much less loss)
JN>  SH> than direct current?  [which is one of the two reasons why
JN>  SH> we use A.C. for mains power..]
JN>  Thus, the power companies use high voltage at low current in their
JN>  transmission lines to reduce IR losses, then steps it down for the
JN>  short distance run to a consumer wherever necessary.
no.. that does not really answer the question. It skirts it. I already know 
that we need A.C. in order to utilize transformers.. I was referring to the 
fact that direct current gets attenuated at a much greater rate than 
alternating current. Every textbook since the 1900's mentions this. But not 
one of those books has ever explained.. WHY..  (according to the textbooks,
if you take a DC signal, and an AC signal of the same power and send them
along a line, tha AC signal goes much farther).  
--- GEcho 1.00
---------------