1. Objective 16.01
Define Common electrical terms

2. 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

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

4. 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.

5. TVA

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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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

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

16. 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

17. 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

18. The Path of Electricity
Area enlarged
Residential
Electrical Delivery