As we live our day-to-day lives, we are dependent on energy. It can be a major inconvenience when the power is lost, powering our homes and businesses. Many people are curious about how energy is made for the inquisitive minds. With this in mind, we at Peterkin Electric would like to discuss the basics of energy production.

Basics of Electricity

To simplify things, electricity is the flow of electrons from one place to another, especially as it flows around a circuit. The building blocks of life, otherwise known as atoms, often takes people back to their high school chemistry class. The electrons are the negatively charged subatomic particles. In the event one of these electrons is freed from an atom and forced to move, electricity is produced. The outermost electrons, or valence electrons require the least amount of force to be freed from an atom. When free electrons find new atoms to latch onto, they kick out the existing electron, and the process starts all over again as it produces electric current. Due to the elements like copper, silver and gold having very mobile electrons, these elements are great conductors of electricity.

Electricity Generation

Behind the scenes, electricity is hard at work in order for you to flip a switch or press an “on” button. There are renewable alternatives, such as solar, wind, and hydropower as well as fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas, and nuclear power. This fuel creates steam or fluid that moves a turbine that turns a magnet in a generator. With a long way to travel to get to, this electric current, is transported through thick wires to transformers. Once the generator produces electric current, the voltage is amplified. This high-voltage electricity gets to the power grid. At the power grid, electricity is moved to different substations, reducing the voltage for use in large settings like factories.

Electricity Consumption

It is distributed to local transformers through power line, either buried or mounted, for the electricity to actually make it to you. These local transformers further reduce voltage to allow you to receive electricity. So, when finally arrives in your home and you flip that switch or press that “on” button, you have completed the circuit and electricity will flow.
When not properly handled, electricity can be hazardous. It is vital that you avoid putting you and your loved one in harms when you any have electricity needs. It is important that you allow professional to do the electrical work for you.

Electricians & Electrical Contractors & More in Laguna Woods, Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Irvine, Lake Forest & Orange County, California

The professionals of Peterkin Electric are readily available to provide you with our expertise for the electrical services in the Greater Orange County, CA area. To ensure electrical services are done with long-term efficiency and done safely, our certified technicians have the knowledge and skills. Let our professionals assist you with your electrical replacements, upgrades, installations, repairs, and any other electrical services your Orange County, CA home or business require and call Peterkin Electric. To help you with any of the electrical services our experts are happy.