Between Wires: Electricity 101

ow exactly does your microwave run? Or, your hair dryer and your bedside lamp. Did you ever wonder how electricity is created and then gets from the wire to the device? We put our electrical engineers to the test to answer the question: “How does electricity work?”

Step One: It starts at a generating station with huge generators. This is what you know as a power plant. Here, electricity is generated through large alternators using wind, coal, natural gas, or water.

Step Two: The generated current goes through a transformer that increases the voltage for distribution. This allows the power to be distributed long distance- by distributing it at a higher voltage there is less loss.

Step Three: Next, the electrical charge gets distributed across the country through high-voltage transmission lines. You may have seen these large transmission towers that hold these high-voltage lines.

Step Four: The current reaches a localized substation which decreases the voltage so that it can be distributed through smaller power lines through local utilities. This is where you often see smaller wooden poles along the street.

Step Five: The current travels through your neighborhood via these distribution lines. Smaller transformers will, again, decrease the voltage before it enters your house. Sometimes you might see small transformers mounted on the wooden poles. Other times they may be located on the ground.

Step Six: The electrical current enters through your house by way of the utility company’s meter. When it passes through a meter, it measures how much your household uses.

Step Seven: Upon entering your home, the electricity goes to your service panel. This is often found in your basement or your garage. The service panel houses breakers or fuses which prevent your home wire systems from ever being overloaded.

Step Eight: Just like it traveled through lines outside, the electricity travels through wires inside of the walls of your home and allows you to access it through outlets and/or switches within your home!