Electricity is a necessary part of modern life. Since the first electrical lines went up at the end of the 19th century to today, electricity powers everything in your home or business that is connected to an outlet. Electricity is transmitted through a variety of means. Here’s what you need to know about electric transmission.
Transmission Lines
Electricity moves through transmission lines whether overhead or underground. Lower voltage electricity moves to distribution stations through subtransmission lines either underground or overhead. Most long-distance electrical transmission is done via overhead lines that dot the roadways of America. Wherever overhead lines cannot be used, underground lines transmit electricity but at a higher cost. Underwater and heavily populated areas are key places where underground lines are used. Hydraulic tools are used to work on the transmission lines and require hydraulic hose Fort Worth TX to operate effectively.
Alternating Current
Thomas Edison invented the light bulb and direct current or DC electricity. His former employee Nikola Tesla invented the more reliable alternating current or AC electricity used today. AC electricity is more reliable than DC. Alternating current is more efficient and can handle the increased demands that the simpler DC system could not.
Power Loss
The higher voltage that electricity transmits by the larger the power losses experienced. As the electricity moves through a resistor it generates heat and loses power. One way the industry combats power loss is by using high voltage lines. About 6% of all electricity is lost even with the measures taken by the industry.
Electrical Grid
The electrical grid is the connection of all the power lines throughout an area or the country. All of society’s electrical needs are met in some way by the grid. The grid relies on power plants using a variety of electricity generation methods to deliver electric currents to urban populations and surrounding communities. Most power plants are outside of the cities and use large transmission systems to deliver electricity.