Making Electricity

Electricity is made by turning other forms of energy into electrical energy. This is what power plants do. There, fuels such as coal and oil are burned. This powers machines called generators. These machines produce electricity.

Nuclear power plants produce large amounts of energy. They use only small amounts of fuel.

Steam to Electricity

Many power plants use coal. Burning the coal heats water and turns it into steam. The force of the steam turns large fan blades. These are connected to a pole that then turns a generator. Magnets spin around inside the generator. This makes electrons jump across coils of copper wire to produce a current of electricity.

Different fuels can be used to produce electricity. No matter which fuel is used, the electricity made is the same.

Which fuels were used most to make electricity in the United States in 2005?

Sending Elecricity

Electricity is made and then sent to where it is needed. It flows out from the plant along wires and cables. These wires and cables carry the power to houses and businesses.

The Grid

The cables and wires that carry electricity crisscross the country. Together, they are known as the grid. They run underground, above ground, and even under the oceans. Wires that run above ground are carried between tall poles. In some places, the poles are replaced by tall towers.

Tall towers called pylons support the electrical cables. Electricity can be sent around the country.

Power plants produce electricity. Electricity travels along cables to supply factories, businesses, and homes.

Voltage

The push of the electricity that leaves the power plant is very powerful. It is known as high voltage. This is too strong to use safely in houses and schools. So the electricity stops at a substation. Here, the voltage is reduced in a machine. It is called a transformer. The electricity then rolls on to villages, towns, and cities. It is safe to use.

From Substation to House

At the substation, the voltage is reduced. Then the electricity continues on its way. From here, the electricity flows to factories, schools, and businesses. Before the electricity reaches your house, it passes to a meter. The meter will keep track of how much electricity people in your house use.

Safe to Use

Look outside your house or apartment. You may see an electrical pole with a small box on the side. This is a small transformer. It lowers the voltage even more before it is cused in your house.

Electricity produced in a power plant travels miles along cables and wires like these.

Ready and Waiting

A cable links your house to the grid that carries electricity from the power plant. Wires run through walls to outlets. Electricity is always waiting in the wires. With a flip of the switch, the circuit is closed. Electricity flows. To complete the circuit, other wires carry the electrical current back to the power plant.