Voltage transformers

Electricity by: Eric. N

Electricity is the flow or existence or electric charge and can create lightning, static electricity
and electrical current. These charges also produce electromagnetic fields that act on other
charges.
Besides the use photovoltaic (solar panels) all electricity is generated by electric generators
which converts mechanical energy to electricity. This mechanical energy requires rotational
energy to turn a turbine generator to create electricity. The rotational energy is made using
the blades of the turbine which turn as steam, gas, water, wind move across it just like when
you blow at a pinwheel and it spins.
The kinetic energy that turns the turbines comes from many different sources such as rivers,
dams, the wind, the ocean, waterfalls, and gas or steam. The heat that heats gas or creates
steam comes from burning coal, oil, natural gas and most commonly fossil fuels. Some other
turbines can also be fuelled by burning garbage and nuclear energy. Steam can also be made
using concentrated sunlight.
Other than generators solar panels which are made up of many photovoltaic cells can be used
to create electricity by converting light energy to electricity as they are light activated semi-
conductors.
As the generator generates an electric current, it travels
through wide wires to a transformer which increases the
voltage of the electric current up to 500, 000+ volts so that it
can travel long distances through the transmission lines.
After the high voltage current reaches the area it is needed it
then it passes through another transformer called substations.
These substations then decrease the voltage to lower levels so
that they can be by different facilities like schools, factories,
malls, restaurants etc. From these substations there are distribution lines that go to another
smaller transformer found in each neighbourhood to reduce the voltage even more down to
110-220 volts so that in can be used in homes.
How power stations convert coal into electricity
Electric Generators