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Electromagnetism

Transmission of Electricity.

Electricity is generated on a large scale at power stations
and then transmitted through a network of cables
(called the National Grid) to factories and homes.

What is the National Grid?

Copper cables carrying the electricity are buried in the
ground or aluminium cables are suspended from pylons.
Aluminium is used because it has a low density
and can safely be suspended from inexpensive thin pylons
 (see also the uses of aluminium). Pylons have the
disadvantage that they look ugly on the landscape
but have the advantage of easy access to the cables
for maintenance and repair. Electricity Transmission using
pylons is cheaper than burying cables underground.

Transformers are used to produce a very high voltage
for the transmission of electricity, to minimize energy loss.

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