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Electricity in the home

Electricity is made in Power Stations by huge generators powered by coal, nucleur, natural gas, water or even wind.

The basic principle of a generator has two main components: a rotating magnet called the “rotor” which turns inside stationary coils of copper wire called the “stator.”

When the rotor rotates through the magnetic field, it generates a flow of current through the copper coils of the stator. Generating plants must use some form of energy or fuel to turn the rotor mentioned above.

Electricity is produced, sent through very high voltage transmission lines to substations.

At substations, the voltage of the electric power is lowered. Voltage is the force that pushes electricity along wires. Then, the power is sent to your neighborhood through distribution lines located underground or on poles.

After electricity is produced at power plants it has to get to the customers that need the electricity.

The electricity first goes to a transformer at the power plant that boosts the voltage up to 100,000's of volts. When electricity travels long distances it is better to have it at higher voltages as it can be transferred more efficiently this way.

The long thick cables of transmission lines are made of copper or aluminum because they have a low resistance. Some of the electrical energy is lost because it is changed into heat energy. High voltage transmission lines carry electricity long distances to a substation.

The power lines go into substations near businesses, factories and homes. Here transformers change the very high voltage electricity back into lower voltage electricity.

From these substations , electricity in different power levels is used to run factories, streetcars and mass transit, light street lights and stop lights, and is sent to your neighborhood.

Electricity enters your home or premises through a meter.

It then goes to the circuit panel or control panel which then distributes the different circuits that power you house.

Traditionally, the UK has had a 240 electrical supply since the 1960s. Continental Europe had a 220V, and Ireland a 230V, supply.  The USA and Canada are supplied by 120 volts mains connection.