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5 Electric power distribution

A 50 kVA distribution transformer with dual (4.8/16 kV) voltage primary as used in America
Electricity distribution is the final stage in the delivery of electricity to end users. A distribution
system's network carries electricity from the transmission system and delivers it to consumers. Typically, the
network would include medium-voltage (1kV to 72.5kV)[1] power lines, substations and polemounted transformers, low-voltage (less than 1 kV) distribution wiring and sometimes meters.

History

Simplified diagram of AC electricity distribution from generation stations to consumers. Transmission system
elements are shown in blue, distribution system elements are in green.
In the early days of electricity distribution, direct current (DC) generators were connected to loads at the same
voltage. The generation, transmission and loads had to be of the same voltage because there was no way of
changing DC voltage levels, other than inefficient motor-generator sets. Low DC voltages (around 100 volts)
were used since that was a practical voltage for incandescent lamps, which were the primary electrical load.
Low voltage also required less insulation for safe distribution within buildings. The loss in a cable is
proportional to the square of the current, and the resistance of the cable. A higher transmission voltage would
reduce the copper size to transmit a given quantity of power, but no efficient method existed to change the
voltage of DC power circuits. To keep losses to an economically practical level the Edison DC system needed
thick cables and local generators. Early DC generating plants needed to be within about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of
the farthest customer to avoid excessively large and expensive conductors.

Introduction of alternating current

General layout of electricity networks

The competition between the direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) (in the U.S. backed by Thomas
Edison and George Westinghouse respectively[2]) was known as the War of Currents. At the conclusion of their
campaigning, AC became the dominant form of transmission of power. Power transformers, installed at power
stations, could be used to raise the voltage from the generators, and transformers at local substations could
reduce voltage to supply loads. Increasing the voltage reduced the current in the transmission and distribution
lines and hence the size of conductors and distribution losses. This made it more economical to distribute power
over long distances. Generators (such as hydroelectric sites) could be located far from the loads.
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