Do You Know How Electricity Gets from Its Source to Your Home? Get the Basics

When you walk into a room and flip the switch, do you ever think about why the light turns on? What makes the electricity come from its source to your home? It might seem like magic, but there are many steps involved in ensuring that you can count on your lights to turn on when you need them. If you are in need of electrical services, contact Sonner Electric at 661-728-0126 for help.

The First Step is Generation

The first step is generating electricity. This is generally done in a power plant with a machine called a generator. Inside, it will have a turbine that uses some type of external energy to rotate it. That turbine then moves an electric conductor (generally made of copper) within a magnetic field. The result is that the mechanical energy is converted to electrical energy.

The Second Step is Transmission

Once the power is generated, it needs to be moved to your home. This requires a network of lines, substations, sub-transmission lines (which requires more substations), and then the final distribution lines. All of this together is what you might hear referred to as a power grid.

The way it works is like this: the electricity is generated at the plant, and is sent via a transmission line to a close substation. The substation increases the voltage to ensure a successful transfer of electricity over a long distance. Sub transmission lines then carry the lower-voltage electricity to be distributed at distribution networks.

The Third Step is Distribution

The electricity might travel hundreds of miles, through many transmission lines with constantly changing voltages, until it is ready for distribution. Electricity then exits the local substation through powerlines before it is then reduced in voltage again by pole-top transformers. This electricity can then be used to power your lights, computer, washer and dryer, etc.

Power goes through a service line, which is called a service drop, which is wired right to your home. This line can travel either underground or overhead, and then runs through a meter that records how much you use.

Are You Having Issues Getting the Electricity You Need?

Ideally, you should be able to flip a switch and watch your power turn on or off. If it does not work that way, then there might be an issue with a circuit breaker or the wiring in your home. If there are issues such as pulses of light when you have many appliances on, then you might need help. Contact Sonner Electric right away at 661-728-0126 to find out how we can get your electrical system up to date.