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THE JOURNEY OF ELECTRICITY

Substations and Overhead Lines

Substations

Substations are small factories which break down electricity into more useable but still dangerous voltages. Substations come in many different shapes and sizes. They can either be outdoors and surrounded by a brick wall, fence or a combination of both or else can be indoors and enclosed with a brick building or metal. However, one thing that they will all have in common is the yellow Danger of Death sign.

If your ball or other belonging has fallen into a substation or if you see the doors open or broken fences- call us using the number on the white warning sign which is on the substation fence or door and we will come and rescue it for you.

Overhead Lines

Once the electricity has been reduced from the various substations it will travel along overhead lines which are normally held up by wooden poles. The electricity is still very dangerous as it can be live at voltages ranging from 110,000 volts to 230 volts. High voltage poles will have the yellow Danger of Death sign to warn you that it is dangerous.

Birds can sit on overhead electricity lines because they are not touching any other wires and the electricity cannot go through them to the ground. However, if they touched another wire or something touching the ground they would get an electric shock which would kill them.

When you are flying your kite, model aeroplane or fishing it is very important to ensure you Look Up and Look Out for overhead lines. Your rod or kite are conductors of electricity and they do not have to touch the overhead line for you to be electrocuted as electricity jumps gaps.

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