UK Power Networks

Conductors

ConductorsConductors are materials that carry electric current really well. are materials that carry electric current really well.

Metals like copper are good conductors - that's why they're used to carry the electricity in wires and electricity flexesElectric wire covered in an insulating material like plastic..

Flex with exposed wires

Electricity always tries to find a path for itself to reach the ground - and it will travel through any conductors it can find to get there - taking whatever shortcuts it can.

Water is a really good conductor. And, because your body is mostly water, electricity can easily travel through you to get to the ground. You could be seriously hurt or even killed. And remember, even if you are climbing a tree or a fence, you are still connected to the ground through the things your are standing on and can still be electrocuted.

Insulators

InsulatorsA material that reduces or stops the flow of electric current. don't carry electric current very well. Some types of rubber, glass and plastic are really good insulators.

Household wires and electricity flexes are covered in plastic so you cannot touch the metal core which carries the electricity - but the overhead lines carried by pylons and in substations are not insulated at all - so keep well away from them. Pylons have ceramic or glass insulators to support the overhead lines so the pylon itself does not become 'live'.

Pylon insulator

Even though some types of rubber are insulators, wearing rubber gloves or rubber-soled shoes or boots may not protect you from electric shock.

Some good insulators are plastic, glass, ceramics and rubber.

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.

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Conductors and insulators

Conductors

Insulators

DANGER!

Did you know?