Passing on the Power

Passing on the Power

Electricity has to be sent from the power station where it is made to the homes and businesses where it is used. Whether the power station is nuclear powered hydroelectric or burns coal, the electricity it makes is distributed in the same way. Transformers at the power station boost the electricity to a very high voltage-hundreds of thousands of volts. The electricity is then carried by metal cables suspended from tall transmission towers, or pylons. It usually ends its journey by passing along underground cables. By the time it reaches your home, transformers have reduced its voltage to a level that depends on which country you live in. Electricity generated in one place can be sent to another part of the country if more power is needed.

Turbogenerator

Electricity is made by a turbogenerator – a generator driven by a turbine. When a wire moves near a magnet, electricity flows along the wire. Inside the generator, strong magnets make electricity flow through coils of wire.

Rotor

The rotor consists of coils of wire that rotate at high speed. Electric current flowing through the coils creates powerful magnetic fields around them.

Anode

A carbon rod acts as the positive electrode.

Passing on the power. Photo by Elena.

Electrolyte

This is a chemical paste.

Cathode

The zinc battery case forms the negative electrode.

Batteries

When a battery is connected to an electric circuit, a chemical reaction between the negative terminal (cathode) and a liquid or paste (electrolyte) creates a current. This current travels round the circuit and returns to the battery at the positive electrode (anode).

Rotor

The rotor consists of coils of wire that rotate at high speed. Electric current flowing through the coils creats powerful magnetic fields around them.

Transformers

Transformers increase the voltage before electricity is transmitted.

Electricity Distribution

Electricity generated at a power station is distributed through a network of cables above and below the ground.

A Bright Idea

Most light bulbs contain a thin coiled wire filament that heats up and glows when an electric current flows trough it. They are called incandescent bulbs. An energy efficient bulb is a fluorescent tube that needs less electricity to produce the same amount of light as a normal bulb. When an electric current passes through mercury vapor inside the tube, the vapor releases invisible ultraviolet rays, and the coating on the inside of the bulb converts them into visible light.

Stator

The stator which does not move, is made from coils of wire surrounding the rotor. As the rotor turns, its magnetic fields cut through the stator coils and make an electric current flow through them.

Power take-off cables

Thick cables lead electric current away from the generator.

Transmission towers

The transmission lines are held high above the ground by tall transmission towers. Glass or ceramic insulators between the metal towers and the cables stop the current from running down the towers into the ground.

Transmission line

Cables strengthened by steel carry the current.

Street transformers

Before electricity reaches your home, its voltage is reduced by transformers. The voltage level depends on the country you live in.

Home

Electricity enters your home through a meter that measures how much electricity is used.

Did you know?

Power stations have to be ready to boost electricity production whenever demand suddenly increases. In many countries, television schedules help to predict power demands. At the end of films or major sporting events, the demand for electricity soars as millions of television viewers switch on their electric kettles to make tea or coffee.