DC

Generation and transmission of electricity

This article will briefly consider the different ways that electricity is generated and transmitted in the UK. Electricity is a convenient energy source because it is easily transmitted over distance via electricity cables, and has a wide variety of uses. However, electricity is not a primary energy source – it must be generated before it can be used, whether using coal, oil, natural gas or other fuels. Once it has…

Alternating Current & Direct Current

Mains electricity in the UK is an alternating current (AC) supply (230V). But what is AC and how does it differ to direct current (DC)? AC produces voltages with alternating polarity, moving forwards and backwards in a circuit over time, either through voltage switching polarity or a current changing direction and back and forth. It appears in a variety of electrical sources, most notably rotary electro-mechanical generators. An alternating current…