People living in any part of the world, whether rural or urban, have seen electric cable transmission wires. These wires are usually made up of Copper, which is well known for its good electrical conductivity. These overhead wires carry high-voltage electricity. In some countries, the voltage can be as high as 650 to 1000 kilovolts. There is a scientific reason behind the high voltage transmission of electricity.
The electric current generation occurs in far-off locations known as power generating stations. However, electricity consumption happens in cities or industrial towns away from the generating stations. Hence long overhead transmission lines are used to transfer the electrical energy. The transfer has to be safe and efficient. The efficiency of transmission increases by increasing the voltage. As high voltage reduces energy loss as heat, most of the power gets transported without much loss.
Hazards Of Electricity Transport
The high tension wire carries the current at high voltage. Whenever a bird or object comes in direct contact, they get electrocuted. Moreover, if these wires snap and fall to the ground, any person coming in connection with these wires will die immediately. Hence it is vital to ensure the safety of birds and humans whenever there is a chance of coming in contact with electricity.
How Is The Transmission Process Made Safe
Maintaining The Integrity Of The Transmission Wires
If the wires that carry the electricity break and fall, they can expose humans to extreme hazards. Thus, it is critical to ensure that these wires are strong and do not break easily. The cables use Copper due to their excellent electrical properties, yet galvanized steel gives strength and maintains the integrity of these transmission lines.
Galvanized steel adds the requisite mechanical strength to these transmission lines. The mechanical strength of the tubes reduces the risks of breaks and other damages to a great extent.
Many electronic appliances are made safer by adding PTFE tubing around them. PTFE is well known for creating non-sticky surfaces but also has excellent electrical and thermal properties. A PTFE tube manufacturer can supply tubes to improve the safety of electric appliances. However, electric transmission lines do not have such protective mechanisms yet. Hence being around them or handling them can cause fatal accidents.
While using electricity at home, be it a fan, a fridge, or decorative bulk LED strip lights, people are relaxed. The household devices like lights and fans come with insulating coatings, unlike the transmission lines, which lack such layers.
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Safety During The Step Up And Step Down Process
The power, be it as DC(direct current) or AC(alternating current), must be transmitted in AC form. Thus, when the power generated is DC, as in the case of solar energy, it needs to be converted to AC. The conversion of AC to DC and vice versa requires semiconductor-based devices called diodes.
The diodes are tiny structures and have wide applications in the field of electronics. The small diodes consist of numerous wires connected to tiny circuits. The suitability of the material and manufacturing process is crucial in any field, be it electronic devices or medical equipment. Medical plastic injection molding companies use precise molds and plastic as they are useful for the precision required in the medical field. Likewise, diodes are made up of semiconductors as they allow unidirectional current flow, which is useful for manufacturing electronic chips.
Handlers of the rectifiers need to be careful while using them. Some precautionary measures taken by them include locking out the disconnect button while servicing. Locking buttons ensures that others cannot accidentally switch it on. Workers also carry out regular inspection and tightening of connections and checking on the frame of the rectifier etc.
Ensuring The Safety During Transmission
Precautions are taken to avoid accidents in case there is an unplanned break or snag in the wires. The land across the transmission lines is usually kept empty. Construction of houses or industries is not allowed in these areas. Wildlife movement restriction also exists. Hence, people will not get killed even if an accidental break happens.
Apart from these, people get advisories about the safety precautions they can take to prevent getting shocks. People are away from these wires, especially during storms when they can break easily. They should also avoid working at a height in areas where there are transmission lines.
Underground lines that transmit power can also be hazardous. If people come in contact with them while digging, they can get electrocuted. Hence, knowing about the location of these lines is crucial for maintaining the safety of personnel.
Conclusion
Electric shocks can cause significant accidents; they can cause nasty burns and leave permanent skin marks. Depending on the duration and intensity of shocks, they are fatal. Whenever somebody handles electric appliances, they should be highly cautious. However, the dangers double in transmission at extremely high voltages. Hence, modern technology is trying to increase the safety of the transmission process.
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