GENERATION OF
ELECTRICITY"
Electrical energy for home and commercial use is produced
by machines called generators.
Generators convert mechanical energy to electrical energy.
A generator consists of copper coils surrounded by magnets.
Turbines are usually connected to the copper coil of the
generator by a shaft.
When the turbines are turned, the spinning shaft will cause
the copper coil to spin and electrical energy is produced.
Electricity is produced in generators
Generators require other sources of energy
Conversion of mechanical energy into
electrical energy
Electromagnetic Induction
Turbine turns coils of wire in a magnetic field
to produce a current
Thermal Generator
There are various type of generator
In a thermal power station, fossil fuels such
as petroleum, coal and natural gas are used
to heat water in a boiler to produce steam
under high pressure.
Hydroelectric Generator
The steam is used to turn the turbines of a
thermal generator.
In a hydroelectric power station, water flowing
at high speed and pressure form the dam
forces the turbines to rotate the generator to
produce electrical energy.
Nuclear Generator
In a nuclear power station, radioactive
substances such as uranium and plutonium
are used to produce heat by nuclear reactions
in a reactor. The heat is used to heat water to
produce steam. The steam is then used to
turn the turbines of a nuclear generator.
Gas Turbine Generator
In a gas turbine power station, natural
gas or petroleum is burned in a high-
pressure combustion chamber. The hot
gases produced are used to turn the
turbines of a gas turbine generator.
Diesel Generator
In a diesel power station, a diesel motor
is used to turn the copper coil of a diesel
generator. Diesel generators are usually
used to produce small supplies of
electrical energy to small villages
Alternative Sources of Energy
Except for hydroelectric power stations, other types of power stations
use non-renewable sources of energy.
Two alternative sources of energy are:
i. Biomass
ii. Sun
Biomass refers to the mass of living things in an area. The
decomposition of the remains and waste of living things by bacteria
produces a gas called methane. Methane can be used as a fuel.
There are two ways to tap solar energy to produce electrical energy.
Solar cells/solar panel convert energy from the sun into electrical
energy.
Transformer
A transformer is a devices used for raising or lowering the voltage of alternating current.
A simple transformer consists of a soft iron core with two coils of wire on each side of the
core as shown below.
There are two type of transformer;
A. the step-up transformer and
B. the step-down transformer.
A step-up transformer has more turns of wire on the secondary coil than the primary coil.
A step-down transformer has less turns of wire on the secondary coil than the primary coil as
shown below.
The number of turns of wire in the primary and secondary coils determines the output
voltage.
A step-up transformer has more turns of wire on the secondary coil and so produces a
higher voltage in the secondary coil.
A step-down transformer has less turns of wire on the secondary coil and so produces a
lower voltage in the secondary coil.
The Roles of Transformer in the Transmission and
Distribution of Electrical Power.
The electrical energy produced at power stations needs to be
transmitted and distributed to consumers. It is transmitted around
the country in a network of cables called the power grid.
Some electrical energy is lost as heat during the transmission of
electrical power.
Heat is generated due to the resistance of the electric cables.
The loss of electrical energy can be reduced by transmitting the
electrical power at a high voltage.
This is achieved by using step-up transformers.
Electrical Power Supply at Home
The mains voltage channeled to homes from the substation is 240 V.
Two types of electric currents, namely Direct Current (DC) & Alternating
Current (AC). DC is current that flows only one direction (battery).
Electrical current (Alternating Current) is channeled to homes through
cables. These cables consist of two types of wires, which are:
a. The Live wire - this type of wire carries current from the substation
to home.
b. The neutral wire - this type of wire returns current from homes to the
substation.
The wiring system in homes includes the:
[Link] Box
- Contains fuses that melt and break the flow of current to protect Electrical circuits from
overloading or from short circuit.
2. Mains switch
-Controls the electrical supply to all circuit in a home.
3. Circuit Breaker
- A circuit is broken in specific situations for example when lightnings strike.
4. Live Wire – brown/BLACK
-this type of wire carries electrical current to a home.
5. Neutral Wire - blue
-this type of wire returns current to the substation.
6. Earth Wire – green + yellow
-this type of wire carries leaked current to the Earth.
7. Electric Meter
- Measure the total amount of electrical energy used in a home.
