Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
The national grid is a network of power stations, transmission lines and transformers which generate and transmit electricity across the United Kingdom.
About The National Grid
- The National Grid consists of several stages:
- Power Stations - Electricity is generated with a potential difference of around 25kV.
- Step Up Transformer - The potential difference of the electricity is increased to around 400kV for long distance transmission. This is because the higher potential difference means a lower current so less energy will be dissipated through heating the transmission lines.
- Long Distance Transmission Lines - Electricity is transmitted at very high potential difference (400kV) so it is kept on very high transmission lines.
- Step Down Transformer - The potential difference of the electricity is lowered to be sent to factories and neighbourhoods at 33kV.
- Short Distance Transmission Lines - Electricity is transmitted at 33kV over a short distance.
- Neighbourhood Step Down Transformer - The potential difference is lowered to 230V for use in houses.
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| A diagram of the national grid. |
References
AQA
- National grid, page 191, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- National grid, pages 308-9, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 1, Hodder, AQA
- National grid, pages 34, 98, GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- National Grid, pages 54-5, 238-9, GCSE Physics, Hodder, AQA
- National Grid, pages 68-9, 243, GCSE Physics; Student Book, Collins, AQA
- National grid, pages 92, 93, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Physics, CGP, AQA
- National grid, pages 95, 96, 310, 312, GCSE Physics; The Complete 9-1 Course for AQA, CGP, AQA