Power, originating at a power generating plant, is distributed to residential, commercial, and industrial customers through various transmission lines and substations.
Power Sources :
There are several sources used to produce power. Coal, oil, and uranium are fuels used to convert water into steam which in turn drives a turbine. Some utilities also use gas turbines, or
both gas and steam turbines, for combined cycle operation. The output shaft of the turbine is connected to an AC generator. The AC generator is rotated by the turbine. It is the AC generator which converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Hydroelectric Power:
Hydroelectric power plants use mechanical energy from falling
water to turn the turbine.
AC Generators:
AC generators operate on the theory of electromagnetic induction. This simply means that when conductors are moved through a magnetic field a voltage is induced into the conductors. A basic generator consists of a magnetic field, an armature, slip rings, brushes, and some type of resistive load.
An armature is any number of conductive wires (conductors) wound in loops which rotate through the magnetic field.
If the rotation of the AC generator were tracked through a complete revolution of 360°, it could be seen that during the first quarter of a revolution voltage would increase until it reached a maximum positive value at 90°. Voltage would decrease during the second quarter of a revolution until it reached zero at 180°. During the third quarter of a revolution, voltage would increase in the opposite direction until it reached
a maximum negative value at 270°. During the last quarter of a revolution, voltage would decrease until it reached zero at 360°.
This is one complete cycle or one complete alternation between positive and negative. If the armature of the AC generator were rotated 3600 times per minute (RPM) we would get 60 cycles
of voltage per second, or 60 hertz.
Energy Transfer :
The role of the generator just described is to change mechanical energy into electrical energy. In order for this energy to be useful, however, it must be transmitted to the utility’s customers via transmission lines. The most efficient way to do this is to increase the voltage while at the same time reducing
the current. This is necessary to minimize the energy lost in heat on the transmission lines. These losses are referred to as I2R (I-squared-R) losses since they are equal to the square of the current times the resistance of the power lines. Once the electrical energy gets near the end user, the utility will need to step down the voltage to the level needed by the user.
Power Sources :
There are several sources used to produce power. Coal, oil, and uranium are fuels used to convert water into steam which in turn drives a turbine. Some utilities also use gas turbines, or
both gas and steam turbines, for combined cycle operation. The output shaft of the turbine is connected to an AC generator. The AC generator is rotated by the turbine. It is the AC generator which converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Hydroelectric power plants use mechanical energy from falling
water to turn the turbine.
AC Generators:
AC generators operate on the theory of electromagnetic induction. This simply means that when conductors are moved through a magnetic field a voltage is induced into the conductors. A basic generator consists of a magnetic field, an armature, slip rings, brushes, and some type of resistive load.
An armature is any number of conductive wires (conductors) wound in loops which rotate through the magnetic field.
If the rotation of the AC generator were tracked through a complete revolution of 360°, it could be seen that during the first quarter of a revolution voltage would increase until it reached a maximum positive value at 90°. Voltage would decrease during the second quarter of a revolution until it reached zero at 180°. During the third quarter of a revolution, voltage would increase in the opposite direction until it reached
a maximum negative value at 270°. During the last quarter of a revolution, voltage would decrease until it reached zero at 360°.
This is one complete cycle or one complete alternation between positive and negative. If the armature of the AC generator were rotated 3600 times per minute (RPM) we would get 60 cycles
of voltage per second, or 60 hertz.
Energy Transfer :
The role of the generator just described is to change mechanical energy into electrical energy. In order for this energy to be useful, however, it must be transmitted to the utility’s customers via transmission lines. The most efficient way to do this is to increase the voltage while at the same time reducing
the current. This is necessary to minimize the energy lost in heat on the transmission lines. These losses are referred to as I2R (I-squared-R) losses since they are equal to the square of the current times the resistance of the power lines. Once the electrical energy gets near the end user, the utility will need to step down the voltage to the level needed by the user.
Need a Residential or Commercial electrician near you? We at Akron Electricians have a team of licensed Electrical Contractor serving the entire Columbus, Ohio area. Your local and affordable electrician. For any electric repair need Call 330-752-8419.
ReplyDeleteElectricians Near Me
Electrical Contractors
Electric Repair Service
Residential Electrician Near Me
Commercial Electrician Near Me