How Does That Work?
The Ins and Outs of How SVEC Brings Power to You
Have you ever wondered what the equipment on a power pole does? What about how electricity travels all the way from a generation facility to your home? As a cooperative, it is part of Suwannee Valley Electric’s mission to help our consumer-members better understand how we bring safe, affordable, and reliable electricity to our community.
If you’ve ever wanted to know more, check out the information and graphics below that outline some of the fundamental aspects of electricity distribution.
The Path of Power
Generation
Electricity is produced at a generation facility either by renewable or nonrenewable energy sources.
Transmission Lines & Substations
After the electricity is generated, it travels through high-voltage transmission power lines to electric substations, where the voltage is lowered.
Distribution Lines
Once the voltage is lowered, the electricity travels over distribution power lines, which ultimately deliver the electricity to our homes and businesses.
Distributed Generation
Distributed generation systems like solar panels produce electricity when their energy source is available, such as when the sun shines. When the energy source is unavailable or if the system produces less electricity than needed, the home or business receives electricity from the grid. If the system produces more electricity than needed, the excess power is sent to the grid.
What’s on That Pole?
The information below depicts the essential equipment typically found on electric utility poles. The specific equipment may vary based on the location and the type of service provided.
Primary Lines
Carry high voltage electricity from a substation.
Surge Arrestor
Protects the transformer from lightning strikes.
Insulators
Prevent energized wires from contacting each other or the pole.
Neutral Wire
Acts as a line back to the substation and is tied to the ground, balancing the electricity on the system.
Transformer
Lowers voltage to 120/240 volts, the level used by the customer in their home or business.
Service Drop Wires
Carry electricity from the transformer to the consumer’s home or business.
Telephone, TV & Fiber Cables
Typically the lowest lines on the pole.
Ground Wire
Connects to the neutral wire to complete the circuit inside the transformer. It also directs electricity from lightning safely into the earth.
Guy Wire
Contributes to the stability and safety of the pole.
Guy Marker
Alerts lineworkers and pedestrians to the presence of the guy wire.
Never nail posters or other items to utility poles, these create hazard for lineworkers.
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