UK Power Networks

Amp

The Amp is a measure of electric current.
Battery

A battery is two or more electric cells joined together which produce an electric potential difference. We usually call this voltage.
Circuit

A collection of wires and electric components connected together in such a way that electric current can flow through them.
Conductor

A material that carries electric current really well.
Electric current

Electric current is a flow of electric charges (electrons).
Electricity flex

Electric wire covered in an insulating material like plastic.
Electromagnet

A magnetic field is produced when an electric current is passed through a wire wrapped around a piece of iron. The iron has become an electromagnet.
Electromagnetic induction

When a wire passes close to a magnet (through a magnetic field), an electric current is generated in the wire.
Fossil fuel

Coal, oil and gas are called fossil fuels because they were formed from the remains of prehistoric plants and animals.
Fuse

Fuses are safety devices, which protect electrical appliances by preventing too much electric current flowing through them. The fuse is a thin wire inside a protective case. If too much electric current flows through the wire, it melts and stops the current flowing.
Generator

A machine that causes an electric current to flow in wires by taking energy as movement and transferring it to energy as moving charge.
Insulator

A material that reduces or stops the flow of electric current.
Mains electricity

Electric current supplied to our homes from the national grid.
National grid

A network of electricity supply lines that carry electric current from where it is generated in power stations to the place where it is used - our homes, factories, shops and railways.
Nuclear reaction

A nuclear reaction can happen when very small particles of certain types of matter split apart. The reaction releases a lot of heat and other products.
Overhead line

Thick electric cables that carry electricity from where it is generated to where it is used.
Power station

Power stations generate electric current in very large quantities for supply to the national grid.
Pylon

A tall metal tower that carries very high voltage power lines.
Renewable energy

Energy that comes from sources that don't run out or get used up. There are a few types: solar energy, wind energy, tidal (energy from waves) and hydroelectricity.
Static electricity

What we commonly call 'static electricity' is a build up of electric charge that can't go anywhere, as it is not connected to an electric circuit or some other means where it can flow to form an electric current. Static electricity is the build up of the charge that can cause high voltages to be created.
Substation

Substations 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.
Terminal

Batteries have two terminals - a positive terminal shown by a + and a negative terminal shown by a -. When you make a circuit, make sure you connect the wires to the + and - terminals correctly.
Transformer

A transformer is a device that can change the voltage associated with an electric current. One type of transformer decreases the voltage and so is called a 'step-down' transformer. A 'step up' transformer increases the voltage.
Voltage

A measure the energy of the electric charges in a circuit.

Did you know?

Save energy - Use energy efficient light bulbs and, when you are leaving a room empty, remember to turn the lights off.
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.
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.
Save energy - Finished playing on your games console or other equipment? Remember to switch off!
Michael Faraday (1791-1867) is one of the most famous people involved in the discovery and harnessing of electromagnetic force.
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.
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)
In the 1780s, Alessandro Volta invented the first battery - all because of Luigi Galvani's experiments with dead frogs.
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.
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 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!
The first turbine engines were designed by Charles Parson (1854-1931). Today turbine engines used to generate electricity are still based on his designs.
What is a watt? Why is it called a watt? It's a unit measuring electric power, named after James Watt (1736-1819).
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.
In 1831 Michael Faraday demonstrated electromagnetic force at the the Royal Institution in London, a famous centre for scientific education and research.
Save energy - Don't forget to switch your TV and computer off when you have finished using them.
Save energy - Make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are full before you turn them on and use the lower temperature settings.
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.
Today we still use words that Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) introduced: battery, conductor, positive and negative charge, electric shock and electrician.
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) developed the first lightning conductor after flying a kite in a thunderstorm. A spectacular but very dangerous experiment!
Fossil fuels won't go on for ever - gas could run out in 40 years.
Save energy - Boil just enough water for the number of hot drinks you want to make - that way you won't waste energy.
In 1800 Alessandro Volta built the world's first battery from discs of copper and zinc sandwiched between cardboard moistened with a salty water.
An electric eel can produce powerful electric shocks: up to 500 volts and one ampere of current (in other words, 500 watts).
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.
The Italian inventor Alessandro Volta (1745-1827) is best known for his work on electric current.
Fossil fuels won't go on for ever - oil could run out in 30 years.
Modern power stations and steam turbines use the same engineering principles that James Watt (1736-1819) applied when he invented the steam engine.
In 1771 Luigi Galvani used electricity to make a dead frog's leg jump!
The ampere is named after André-Marie Ampère (1775-1836). He discovered many of the mathematical principles of electromagnetism.
Fossil fuels won't go on for ever - coal could run out in 250 years.

Glossary

DANGER!

Did you know?