The national grid

• The National Grid is a system of transformers and high-voltage cables that connects power stations to homes
• The greater the distance between the power station and the homes

  The greater the energy loss in the power cables
• Electricity distribution by the National Grid

  1. Electricity from power station passes through step-up transformers

  2. Electricity passes through high-voltage cables

  3. Electricity passes through step-down transformers

  4. Electricity passes into homes
• Step-up transformers

  Increase the potential difference to several hundred thousand volts to reduce energy loss in transmission cables
• Less energy is lost, not less electricity, when the potential difference is very high
• Step-down transformers

  Reduce the potential difference to around 230 volts before electricity passes to homes