The Flow Of Electricity and How Grounding Is Important In the Systems

The Flow Of Electricity and How Grounding Is Important In the Systems Tutorials
By: IIEE

The electric power utility provides a ground somewhere in its local distribution system; therefore, there is a ground wire in addition to the hot wires within the service drop. This ground can be seen at the power pole that contains the step down transformer.In addition to the ground connection provided by the electric utility, every building is required to have an independent ground, callead a"system ground." The system ground provides for limiting the voltage upon the circuit, which might otherwise occur through exposure to lighting, or for limiting the maximum potential to ground due to normal voltage. Therefore, the system ground's main purpose is to protect the electric system itself limited protection to the user.The system ground serves the same purpose as the power company's ground, however, being closer to the building it has a lower resistance. The equipment ground on the other hand, protects man from potential harm during the use of certain electrical equipment. The system ground should be a continuous wire of low resistance and of sufficient size to conduct current safely from lightning and overloads.

RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
ELECTRICAL FUNDAMENTALS - Think of a pipe or a garden hose. When you turn on the water, it moves through the pipe and out the faucet or hose end. In a similar way , you can think of electricity as a current of very tiny particles (electrons) flowing inside a wire and through a light bulb or an appliance that’s been switched on.

How fast does electricity travel?
Electric current is defined as the ordered movement of charge. The charge that moves in
electricity could be ionic charges in a liquid or a gas (right). However most of us usually
think of electrons as the charge carrier in electricity. So we will refine the question
further by saying “How fast is an electric current comprising of moving electrons?”.


Measuring Electricity
Electricity makes our lives easier, but it can seem like a mysterious force. Measuring electricity is confusing because we cannot see it. We are familiar with terms such as watt, volt, and amp, but we do not have a clear understanding of these terms. We buy a 60-watt light bulb, a tool that requires 120 volts, or an appliance that uses 8.8 amps, but we don’t think about what those units mean.

The Flow Of Electricity On Transmission Lines Engineering

The Flow Of Electricity On Transmission Lines Engineering Tutorials
By: IIEE

Electricity is usually generated by a generator that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. The electricity is then run through a transformer where voltage is increased to several hundred thousand volts and in some instance to a million or more volts. This high voltage is necessary in order to  increase the efficiency of power transmission over long distances.This high-transmission voltage is then stepped down reduced to normal 110 volt/220 volt household current by a transformer located near the point of use residence. The electricty is then transmitted to the house by a series of wires call a service drop. In areas where the electric wiring is underground, the wires leading to the building are burried in the ground. In order for electric current to flow, it must travel from a higher to a lower potential voltage. In an electrical system the hot wires black or red are at a  higher potential that the neutral or ground wire white or green. Therefore, current will flow between the hot wires and the neutral or ground wires. The voltage is a measure of the force at which electricity is delivered. It is similar to pressure in a water supply system. Current is the quantity of flow  of electricity. It is similar to measuring water in gallons per second. A watt is a measure of how much power is flowing. Electrity is sold in quantities of  watt-hour. The earth, by virtue of moisture contained within the soil, serves as a very effective conductor. Therefore, in power transmission, instead of having both  the hot and neutral wires carried by the transmission poles, one lead of the generator is connected to the ground, which serves as a conductor. Only hot wire  are carried by the transmission towers. At the house or point where the electricity is to be used the circuit is completed by another connection to ground.


Tracing The Flow Of Electricity
The mesh Structure of high voltage transmission networks provides a large number of possible routes by which electrical power can flow from the sources  generators to the sinks grid supply points.

Circuits and the Flow of Electricity
To understand current electricity, many vocabulary words must be introduced. The first
part of this lesson uses a hands-on, problem-solving activity that helps students define the
vocabulary terms and demonstrate the terms’ relationships. After gaining foundational
understanding, students create their own circuits.