1. Power and Energy in the Home Alex Skwarczynski and Morgan Briggs

2. From the plant to the home... There are three main steps to electricity distribution: Stepping up the Voltage Stepping down from Transmission to Distribution Directing electricity to the home

3. Types of Plants

4. Power Plant to Transformer The first step to generating electricity occurs in a power plant. Electricity is generated at 20,000 volts. After electricity is created, it travels through a transformer that “steps” up the electricity to either 115,000 volts or 765,000 volts. Raising the voltage allows the electricity to move more efficiently over long distances through transmission lines.

5. Step-Up Transformers Step- Up transformers move the electricity from the primary coil to the secondary coil. Step-Up transformers take low voltage, high current power and change it to high voltage, low current power. High voltages minimize the amount of power lost in transmission lines.

6. Decreasing Voltage Before the electricity can enter the distribution substations, transformers lower the voltage to 4,000 volts or 69,000 volts. Lowering the voltage allows the electricity to travel through smaller distribution lines to residential areas and commercial areas.

7. Transmission lines spread throughout the United States’ power grid in order to provide electricity for as many people as possible.

8. Transmission Verses Distribution Transmission is radial and can be supplied by multiple sources, such as various power plants. Transmission lines are always above 100Kvolts. Distribution is networked and moves in only one direction, along with functioning under 100Kvolts.

9. Transmission Lines Transmission lines mostly use three phases alternating current, but HVDC is used only for long distances typically greater than 600 miles. Power is usually transmitted through overhead transmission lines. Underground power transmission has a significantly higher cost and greater operational limits but it is sometimes used in urban areas.

10. To the home Transformers reduce the voltage from the transmission lines even more so the electricity can be safely delivered to homes and businesses. Electricity travels into homes through wires called service drop. These service drops connect to meter boxes that measure the amount of electricity used by the customer.

11. Overview

12. Step-Down Transformers Before electricity can power a home it must be transformed down to 240 voltsBefore electricity can power a home it must be transformed down to 240 volts The 240 volts is divided into two 120 volt currents offset by 180 degreesThe 240 volts is divided into two 120 volt currents offset by 180 degrees This allows home devices to run on 120 or 240 voltsThis allows home devices to run on 120 or 240 volts

13. How AC works The dashed line represents the root mean square or average of the AC electricity. The dashed line represents the root mean square or average of the AC electricity. In the US that average is 120V and the peaks are about 170V. In the US that average is 120V and the peaks are about 170V.

14. Meter Box As electricity enters the home it is recordedAs electricity enters the home it is recorded Utility companies record energy usage in kilowatt-hoursUtility companies record energy usage in kilowatt-hours Common prices per kilowatt-hour are 10-18 cents and vary on locationCommon prices per kilowatt-hour are 10-18 cents and vary on location

15. Electronics in the Home Every home has a breaker box to manually turn on and off electricity. The circuit breaker box is used whenever electrical wiring in a building has too much current flowing through it, these simple machines cut the power until somebody can fix the problem. Breakers prevent overload from destroying delicate components or starting fires.

16. Wattage for common Appliances Aquarium = 50–1210 Watts Clock radio = 10 Coffee maker = 900–1200 Clothes washer = 350–500 Clothes dryer = 1800–5000 Dishwasher = 1200–2400 Dehumidifier = 785 Electric blanket (Single/Double) = 60 / 100 Fans Ceiling = 65–175 Window = 55–250 Furnace = 750 Whole house = 240–750 Hair dryer = 1200–1875 Heater (portable) = 750–1500 Clothes iron = 1000–1800 Microwave oven = 750–1100 Personal computer CPU - awake / asleep = 120 / 30 or less Monitor - awake / asleep = 150 / 30 or less Laptop = 50 Radio (stereo) = 70–400 Refrigerator (frost-free, 16 cubic feet) = 725 Televisions (color) 19" = 65–110 27" = 113 36" = 133 53" - 61" Projection = 170 Flat screen = 120 Toaster = 800–1400 Toaster oven = 1225 VCR/DVD = 17–21 / 20–25 Vacuum cleaner = 1000–1440 Water heater (40 gallon) = 4500–5500 Water pump (deep well) = 250–1100 Water bed (with heater, no cover) = 120–380

17. These Appliances cost money every time you use them

18. Playing a video game

19. What can you do? Energy efficient electronics not only help the environment, but also save you money. Energy efficient electronics not only help the environment, but also save you money.

20. Light bulbs LED bulbs look expensive at first but use less electricity and last longer saving money later LED bulbs look expensive at first but use less electricity and last longer saving money later Light bulbs are a good place to start saving money Light bulbs are a good place to start saving money

21. Insulating When air enters or exits your house, you are losing money When air enters or exits your house, you are losing money

22. Making hot water affordable An improved water heater means less guilt over hot showers, money back in your bank account, and a healthier environment An improved water heater means less guilt over hot showers, money back in your bank account, and a healthier environment

23. A more extensive option Homeowners can help the grid, make money instead of spending, and aid the enviroment Homeowners can help the grid, make money instead of spending, and aid the enviroment

24. Smart Practices Money can be saved everyday without buying new equipment Money can be saved everyday without buying new equipment Turn off the lights when you aren't in the room Turn off the lights when you aren't in the room Take shorter showers Take shorter showers Put computers in sleep mode Put computers in sleep mode Adjust your thermostat Adjust your thermostat

25. Works Cited "CPS Energy Works for You." Energy Delivery. CPS Energy, n.d. Web. 16 June 2014. "Power and Energy in the Home." TCIPG. University Partners, n.d. Web. 17 June 2014.