Danger!

Electricity is extremely dangerous. Fact.

You could be seriously hurt or killed if you mess about with electrical appliances, electric sockets or electricity flexesElectric wire covered in an insulating material like plastic. in your home. You could also be seriously hurt or killed if you play in substationsSubstations are an important part of the national grid. They contain transformers which increase or decrease the voltage of an electric current. Substations are very dangerous if you try to tamper with them or vandalise them. Do not enter a substation for any reason - it is against the law and you could be electrocuted., near overhead linesThick electric cables that carry electricity from where it is generated to where it is used. on wooden poles or around electricity pylonsA tall metal tower that carries very high voltage.

Why is electricity dangerous?

It always tries to find the easiest path to the ground
Human bodies contain 70% water and water conducts electric current really well
Electric current flows more easily through water than through air

Danger of death sign

This means that if you get too close to power lines or a substation, the electricity could pass through the water content of your body as it tries to find the easiest way to get to the ground. You could get an electric shock and might even die. Electricity in the home can also be dangerous if you don't respect it.

Spot the Hazard

Do you know how to stay safe around electricity?

Try Spot the Hazard. Can you find all of the hazards?

Did you know?

An electric eel can produce powerful electric shocks: up to 500 volts and one ampere of current (in other words, 500 watts).
Electric shock victims often can't let go of the thing that is passing the electric current into their body. That's because the electricity makes their muscles contract.
Michael Faraday (1791-1867) was the first person to create a way of generating a constant current of electricity. His invention led to the power stations we know today.
Thomas Alva Edison 1847-1931 is one of the most successful inventors ever, applying for over 1,300 patents by 1910, mainly to do with electrical or mechanical development.
Save energy - Use energy efficient light bulbs and, when you are leaving a room empty, remember to turn the lights off.
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) developed the first lightning conductor after flying a kite in a thunderstorm. A spectacular but very dangerous experiment!
In 1771 Luigi Galvani used electricity to make a dead frog's leg jump!
Fossil fuels won't go on for ever - coal could run out in 250 years.
Fossil fuels won't go on for ever - oil could run out in 30 years.
In the 1780s, Alessandro Volta invented the first battery - all because of Luigi Galvani's experiments with dead frogs.
Fossil fuels won't go on for ever - gas could run out in 40 years.
Electricity used at home is metered in 'units' or kilowatt hours (kWh). Each unit is the same as 1,000 watts of electricity used for 1 hour. 1 unit = 1kWh.
What is a watt? Why is it called a watt? It's a unit measuring electric power, named after James Watt (1736-1819).
Save energy - Make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are full before you turn them on and use the lower temperature settings.
All electrical appliances are rated in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW) ( One kilowatt is the same as 1,000 watts). You can use the ratings to compare how much electricity they use.
High voltage electricity is carried across the country by pylons and 'stepped down' for domestic use at substations. The National Grid supplies electricity all over the country.
In 1800 Alessandro Volta built the world's first battery from discs of copper and zinc sandwiched between cardboard moistened with a salty water.
In 1831 Michael Faraday demonstrated electromagnetic force at the the Royal Institution in London, a famous centre for scientific education and research.
Michael Faraday (1791-1867) is one of the most famous people involved in the discovery and harnessing of electromagnetic force.
Save energy - Boil just enough water for the number of hot drinks you want to make - that way you won't waste energy.
Save energy - Don't forget to switch your TV and computer off when you have finished using them.
In August 1887 the London Electric Supply Corporation commissioned Ferranti to build the first power station. Today our electricity supply is still based on the system that Ferranti designed.
In 15 minutes, the sun radiates as much energy onto Earth as all the people on the planet during an entire year. Just imagine if we could channel the sun's energy effectively!
Modern power stations and steam turbines use the same engineering principles that James Watt (1736-1819) applied when he invented the steam engine.
The first turbine engines were designed by Charles Parson (1854-1931). Today turbine engines used to generate electricity are still based on his designs.
The Italian inventor Alessandro Volta (1745-1827) is best known for his work on electric current.
Today we still use words that Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) introduced: battery, conductor, positive and negative charge, electric shock and electrician.
The ampere is named after André-Marie Ampère (1775-1836). He discovered many of the mathematical principles of electromagnetism.
Save energy - Finished playing on your games console or other equipment? Remember to switch off!
What is a volt? And why is it called a volt? The volt measures electromotive force. It was named after the Italian inventor Alessandro Volta (1745-1827)
At Deptford in 1891, electrical engineer Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti (1864-1930) designed and built the first power station and supply network. His basic system is still used around the world.