IBEW Apprenticeship 2nd Year, 1st Period (2-1) Practice Test 2026 - Free Apprenticeship Exam Questions and Study Guide

The statement is true because the power loss (often referred to as I²R loss) in a transmission line is directly related to both the current flowing through the line and the resistance of the wire. The formula I²R indicates that power loss increases with the square of the current, which means that even a small reduction in current can lead to a significant decrease in power loss.

Additionally, lowering the resistance of the transmission wire also contributes to reducing power loss. Materials with lower resistivity or larger diameter wires can be used in transmission lines to decrease resistance. Both strategies effectively minimize the energy wasted in the form of heat due to resistance in the wire when current flows through it. Therefore, taking either action—reducing current or resistance—can successfully decrease power loss in transmission systems.