Objective 16.01 Define Common electrical terms

Electrical Terms Electricity: a source of energy that can be converted to light, heat, or power A movement of electrons caused by electrical pressure or voltage The amount of energy produced depends on the number of electrons in motion Electricity is produced from generators that are run by water, steam, or internal combustion engines

Hydroelectric Water used as a source of power to turn generators Examples: Fontana Dam Niagra Falls Dam Kinzua Dam

TVA TVA: Tennessee Valley Authority May 18, 1933 TVA Act was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt 1942: 12 hydroelectric dams where being built in the area employing 28,000 people.

TVA

High-Voltage Transmission Power Plant Step-Up Substation Transmission Substation Large Industrial User Residential Electrical Delivery Local Substation Small Businesses Farms Schools Homes

The Path of Electricity Power Plant Inside a generating plant, water is heated to steam by nuclear reaction or fuels such as natural gas, oil and coal. Steam turns turbines and magnets to produce electric energy. Water at hydroelectric dams also can turn turbines.

The Path of Electricity Step-Up Substation Substation transformers at generating plants increase electric energy’s pressure (voltage) so it can move long distances over power lines that transmit up to 500,000 volts.

The Path of Electricity High-Voltage Transmission High-voltage transmission lines carry electric energy over long distances. Insulators on the towers prevent energy from going into the ground or on the structure.

The Path of Electricity Transmission Substation Transformers at high-voltage substations reduce voltage to a lower level (34,500 to 115,000 volts) suitable for local use.

The Path of Electricity Large Industrial User Some large industries need high voltage power (2,300 to 4,000 volts) to run heavy machinery. They usually have a small substation outside the facility.

The Path of Electricity Transmission Substation Transformers in medium- voltage neighborhood substations reduce the voltage even more to be distributed to homes and businesses. Your electric cooperative operates several of these substations.

The Path of Electricity Distribution Lines Your cooperative’s distribution lines carry 7,200 to 13,200 volts of power. These poles may also hold telephone and cable TV lines. In some areas, distribution lines are in underground conduits.

The Path of Electricity Transformers on Poles Electric power passes through transformers on poles to reduce voltage to levels for use inside farms, schools, small businesses and homes (120/240 volts). Area enlarged

Electrical Terms Ampere: the rate of flow of electricity Volt: the measurement of electrical pressure Watt: the measurement of electrical power Kilowatt: 1000 watts Circuit Breaker: protects circuits form overload of current by tripping to break or open the circuit

Electrical Terms Fuse: protects circuits form overload by melting a metal strip in the fuse Conductors: materials such as copper, aluminum, or water that will carry or conduct electricity Insulators: materials such as rubber and plastics that will not conduct electricity

Electrical Terms Hot wire: a current-carrying conductor under electrical pressure Neutral wire: a current-carrying conductor NOT under electrical pressure (has volts) Ground wire: a conducting wire that transmits current to the earth to minimize the danger of electrical shock

The Path of Electricity Area enlarged Residential Electrical Delivery