With the advent of technology, more and more devices we have at home will need electricity in order to function. Without electricity, we will not be able to make use of the electrical devices which we have come to rely upon for our daily activities.
Now, let’s take a look at how electricity has powered our homes and allowed us to enjoy many of the things imaginable.
How Does Electricity Get Into Our Houses?
The journey of electricity going to our homes begins at the power stations. Power stations are huge plants where electricity is produced from different energy sources including coal, wind, solar, geothermal, and water for hydropower.
From the power stations, electricity as high as 25,000 volts, or more, travels through overhead lines going to the large substations. At the substations, the transmission of electricity starts with the use of transformers. The transformers work by increasing or decreasing the voltage of electric currents depending on the current applications. Transformers have also made it possible for electricity to be transmitted over long distances without losing too much power during the process.
After the first substation, electricity goes into the transmission network where it is prepared for distribution to houses, businesses, and other electric consumers before it finds its way to the second substation. At the second substation, the electricity voltage is already significantly reduced to a level that’s safe for household and commercial use. From there, the electricity makes its way to the distribution power lines and then enters the house through the service drop. Finally, the electricity passes through the main circuit breaker where it is divided into each of the electrical circuits for every area or room in the home.
What are the Major Parts of Electrical Wires?
As power enters our house, it travels through our home’s electrical wiring. The electrical wires carry the electricity to be distributed to the circuits and then to the appliances. These electrical wires and cables are made up of different parts. But the three major parts are the following:
- Conductor
Composed of either aluminum, copper, or metals, this is the material in the electric wire which allows electricity to flow through.
- Insulator
The insulating part of an electrical wire has a high electrical resistance. This is the part of the wire where internal electric charges cannot flow through freely, and its main function is to prevent electricity leakage
- Sheath
The sheath is the outer cover that holds all the interior materials of the wires together, and protects the wire from external damages.
Electrical Wires: What You Should Know About
Electrical wires follow safety codes. The color code dictates what the wire is for. Black, blue, red, and yellow wires generally indicate hot wires while the green color signifies the ground line of an electrical circuit. Meanwhile, gray and white indicate a neutral wire.
In addition, the size of the electrical wire determines how much electricity can pass through, such that larger wires are used for heavier loads and the smaller wires are for smaller loads.
Home Electrical Wiring Tips
When dealing with your home’s electrical wiring, safety should always be the top priority. In any case that you are unsure what to do, contact a qualified electrician to help you. Otherwise, you risk yourself from electric shocks and other electrical hazards. Here are essential tips when handling your home’s electrical wiring
- Always test electrical wires and devices for power before you start working on them or near them.
- When installing a device make sure that it has the right amperage compatible with the amount of amperage that the circuit carries.
- Secure the wiring connections, loose wiring can result to power arcing where electricity can jump through the air and transfer from one conductor to another.
- Never work with your electrical wiring with wet hands or near damp areas.
Don’t hesitate to call professional electricians if you need to do some electrical wiring.
Columbus Ohio Electrician, 1550 Old Henderson Rd #45, Columbus, OH 43220, (614) 340-2458