Electromagnetism

Transmission.

Electricity is generated on a large scale at power stations
and then transmitted through cables (called the National Grid)
to factories and homes.

Copper cables carrying the electricity are buried in the ground
or aluminium cables are suspended from pylons.
Aluminium is used because it has a low density
and can safely be suspended from inexpensive thin pylons
 (see also GCSE Chemistry Uses of Aluminium).
Pylons have the disadvantage that they look ugly on the landscape
but have the advantage of easy access to the cables
for maintenance and repair.
Transmission using pylons is cheaper than burying cables underground.

Transformers are used to produce a very high voltage
for the transmission of electricity, to minimize energy loss.

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