power transmission

Transfer of electrical power from one location, such as a power station, to another. Electricity is conducted along cables at a high voltage (up to 500 kilovolts (kV) on the super grid) in order to reduce the current in the wires, and hence minimize the amount of energy wasted as heat.

Transformers are needed to step up the voltages for transmission and to step down these voltages before power can be supplied to consumers. High voltages require special insulators to prevent current from leaking to the ground and these may clearly be seen on the pylons that carry overhead wires.