Power Sources

Electricity is created at a power station. The power station has AC or alternating current, and is connected to a step-up transformer. This transformer increases voltage to reduce losses,and is connected to the power grid. The grid carries electricity over long distances over to towns and cities. Once it reaches the towns and cities, it transitions into a step-down transformer, which will decrease the voltage to a safer level. From here it will be distributed locally into smaller circuits on different streets or groups of properties. Connected to these distribution cables are smaller transformers which are usually pole mounted to again reduce the voltage down to even safer residential level. On the property itself will be an electricity meter, which will quantify how much electricity has been used. Electricity companies will use this meter to invoice the property. A pole-mounted transformer with cables will be connected to the meter either above or below ground (two hot wires and a neutral wire). Inside the transformer, you will have 2 coils. The primary coil is connected to the power station, while the secondary coil is connected to the property. The 2 hot wires on the property side will be connected to each end of the secondary coil. And the neutral is connected to the center of the coil. On the property itself, he will find a main service panel, either called a load center, or breaker box. Remove the cover, see the main breaker at the top. The 2 hot wires from the transformer connect to each lug on either side of the main breaker. Coming out of the main breaker are the 2 bus bars.