Power line facts for kids
Power lines are wires that conduct electricity through to another place. Some have step-up transformers and step-down transformers. The voltage of the power at the end is usually 120V, but is much higher while going through the lines. The power at the end is then safe enough to be used when "stepped-down" by a transformer.
Principle
The original power is made at a power plant. As the power is sent through the power lines, sometimes it encounters spots that it cannot go through. Then it will need to raise its voltage with a step-up transformer. The act is called "stepping up". But when it reaches buildings, it is too dangerous to be used (about 750,000V) so it goes through a step-down transformer. The act is called "stepping down". Then the elctricity can be distributed to buildings.
Related pages
Images for kids
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Overhead power line in Gloucestershire, England.
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High- and medium-voltage power lines in Łomża, Poland
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Medium-voltage power lines with ceramic insulators in California
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Modular suspension insulators are used for high-voltage lines.
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Sample cross-section of ACSR power line
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Conventional ACSR (left) and modern carbon core (right) conductors
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A bundle conductor
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Spacer damper for four-conductor bundles
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Bundle conductor attachment
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Aluminum conductor crosslinked polyethylene insulation wire. It's used for 6600V power lines.
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HVDC Fenno-Skan with ground wires used as electrode line
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Aerial bundled cable in Old Coulsdon, Surrey
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A man working on powerlines in Nauru (2007)
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low-profile power lines near an airfield
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A single-circuit line
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A double-circuit line
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Parallel single-circuit lines
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Hamilton Beach Pylon (2).JPG
Four circuits on one tower line
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six circuits of three different types
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Short length of power line
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Medium length of power line
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