1. RESIDENTIAL ELECTRICAL SERVICE
APPLICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY

2. ELECTRICAL SERVICE SYSTEM
There are three parts involved in providing residences with electricity:
Generation
Transmission
Distribution

3. GENERATION
Electricity is generated at a Power Plant and sent out through high voltage transmission lines.
Electricity may generated through the following means:
Nuclear Power
Hydroelectric Dams
Solar Thermal Energy
Geothermal Power
Photovoltaic Panels
Wind Turbines
Burning Fossil Fuels (coal, natural gas)

4. TRANSMISSION
High voltage lines carry power to Substations where transformers step up the voltage to be sent to main distribution lines.

5. TRANSMISSION
Examples of Substations.

6. DISTRIBUTION
Main Distribution Lines deliver power to large subdivisions and commercial customers.

7. DISTRIBUTION
Main Distribution Lines feed local distribution lines delivering power to small neighborhoods and businesses.

8. DISTRIBUTION
Local distribution lines provide electrical service to individual customers.

9. OVERHEAD SERIVCE Service Head Transformer Power Source Conduit Meter
Service Panel

10. UNDERGROUND SERVICE
Transformer
Meter
Service Panel
Conduit

11. ELECTRICAL PANELS
Electricity is supplied to a building with three wires
Two wires carry 120 volts of alternating current (AC) such that the voltages are opposite
One wire is neutral or ground (zero volts)
Circuit Breakers are switches the control receptacles, switches, light fixtures, and other devices within a room or area of a building. Most breakers are 15 or 20 amp depending on the area to be serviced.
Some appliances/equipment require more current and have their own dedicated circuit.

12. ELECTRICAL WIRING
The Black (other colors also used) is known as the hot wire.
The White is known as the neutral wire.
The Green (or bare) is known as the ground wire.
Electricity is fed to a device via the hot wire and returns (completing the circuit) through the neutral wire
The ground wire provides a safe path for electricity if a short circuit accidentally occurs
Most electrical wire is sheathed/insulated. The ground wire may not be insulated. Wire is normally made from copper or aluminum. Copper is the better material for wiring but usually more expensive. Wire is sold in different sizes called gauges. The thick the wire, the lower the gauge.

13. COMMON ELECTRICAL SYMBOLS
RECEPTACLE/OUTLET
Some symbols may vary in appearance based on preferences of the person drawing.
Left slot in the duplex outlet is for the neutral, the right slot is for the hot, and half round slot is for the ground.
Duplex
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
Range/Dryer

14. COMMON ELECTRICAL SYMBOLS
SWITCHES
Single-Pole
3-Way Switch
Dimmer

15. COMMON ELECTRICAL SYMBOLS
LIGHTING
Recessed
Pendant
Surface-Mounted

16. ELECTRICAL PLAN
Electrical Plans typically show the location of receptacles, switches, and lighting fixtures. The dashed lines represent wiring and help to show which light fixtures are controlled by a particular switch. Electrical Plans also show the location of the service panel with the breakers for all circuits in the building.