What is the device used to step up generated voltage for commercial transmission called?

The device used to step up generated voltage for commercial transmission is known as a power transformer. Power transformers are designed to transfer electrical energy between two or more circuits and are optimized for high voltages and currents.

In the context of electricity transmission, stepping up voltage is critical as it allows the electricity to travel long distances with reduced energy losses. By increasing the voltage, the current can be lowered for the same power output, which results in a lower I²R loss in the conductors.

Power transformers are typically used in substations where electricity needs to be transferred from generating stations to distribution networks. They are also designed to handle high voltage levels that are often present in transmission lines, making them essential components in the electrical grid.

Other types of transformers, such as step-down transformers, current transformers, and potential transformers, serve specific functions that differ from that of the power transformer. Step-down transformers reduce voltage, current transformers measure current for metering or protection, and potential transformers provide voltage measurements at lower levels, which are not the primary purpose of a power transformer in commercial transmission.