Basics of high voltage: the backbone of the power grid

High voltage basics

Understanding the backbone of the power grid

The intricate network of power lines buzzing outside our windows is a testament to the invisible force that powers our modern lives: electricity. But have you ever wondered how electricity travels such vast distances and what unseen heroes make it possible?

Take Los Angeles in 1907. Ready for growth, its ambitions were limited by the reach of the existing power grid. Homes and businesses needed more electricity, and the answer was remote hydroelectric plants in the western Sierra Mountains. The solution was a technological marvel that created what was then the world’s longest, highest voltage transmission line. It was also the first transmission line supported entirely by steel towers. These mighty giants, stretching across vast distances, have become the arteries of the growing city, exemplifying the transformative power of high-voltage technology.

Today we delve into the fascinating world of high voltage that underlies our power grids and explore the key components that work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure efficient and reliable power delivery.

For a journey of discovery from the power plant to the electrical outlet, watch the second episode of the new season of the Power Pulse Podcast: High Voltage Basics.

Components of high voltage systems

Imagine electricity as water flowing through a pipe. The wider the pipe, the more water (current) it can carry. However, wider pipes are also more expensive and impractical to build and maintain. This is where the tension gets high. By increasing the voltage, the same amount of power (the product of voltage and current) can be pushed through a thinner tube, thus minimizing losses when transmitted over long distances.

So what is high voltage? And what are the basic elements of a high voltage system?

Our home electrical system voltage is 230 volts. However, overhead lines carry electricity at levels much higher than household voltage. This is because high voltages are more suitable for transmitting electricity than low voltages. Energy loss is less due to the resistance of the conductor.

• Transmission lines: These high voltage cables carry electricity over long distances. They are typically made of aluminum or copper wires with insulating materials and suspended from tall poles for safety and to prevent sparks from jumping to the ground.