The loss of power due to resistance in wires is known as ___ losses.

The term that describes the loss of power due to resistance in wires is known as I²R losses. This term comes from the formula for electrical power loss in a conductor, which states that the power loss (in watts) is equal to the square of the current (I, measured in amperes) multiplied by the resistance (R, measured in ohms) of the conductor. Thus, as current flows through a resistance, energy is dissipated in the form of heat, leading to an inevitable loss of power. This phenomenon is particularly significant in wiring systems where high currents are involved, as even small increases in resistance can lead to substantial losses.

The other terms—transformational, load, and voltage losses—do not specifically refer to power losses due to resistance in conductors. Transformational losses generally occur in transformers due to heat and magnetizing current, while load losses can refer to power losses in any electrical component under load but are not specific to resistance in wires. Voltage losses typically refer to the drop in voltage across a conductor and can be influenced by resistance, but they do not specifically encapsulate the power loss concept through the I²R relationship.