Question | Answer |
What is the national grid? | The network of pylons and cables covering Britain, taking electricity from power stations and other sources and distributing it to homes and businesses |
What are the jobs of transformers? | To increase or decrease the voltage to the level suitable for either transporting across the wires or providing it at a safe suitable level |
What does a step up transformer do? | Increases the voltage coming from a power station to 400,000 volts so it can be quickly and cheaply carried around the network of wires |
What does a step down transformer do? | Decrease the voltage to safe usable levels so that consumers (towns. villages etc.) can use it for power |
Pros of overhead cables?(4) | • Cheaper
• Easily accessible
• Easily set up
• Minimal disturbance to land |
Cons of overhead cables(4) | • Lots needed
• Ugly
• Affected by weather
• Less relaiable |
Pros and cons of underground cables? | Its the opposite to overhead cables |
How can supply be increased? | More power stations or more output |
How can demand be decreased? | Consumers using more energy efficient appliances |