| Air Break Switches |
Switches used to isolate sections of the electrical network, either for maintenance or to manage power distribution. |
| Arcing |
The phenomenon where electricity jumps across a gap in a circuit, creating a visible spark or sustained electrical discharge (arc). This can happen when a current flows through a gas, like air, rather than through a proper conductive path like a wire. Arcing can be dangerous, and needs attending to urgently. It produces intense heat that can ignite materials and cause fires. |
| Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS) |
Devices that automatically switch between different power sources, such as a main power-line and a backup generator. |
| Circuit Breakers |
Devices that protect circuits from over-currents and short circuits, by automatically interrupting the flow of electricity. |
| Conductor(s) |
What laymen know as ‘power-lines’. The cables and wires that carry electricity from one place to another on a network. We’ll usually just refer to them as ‘power-lines’ too, when communicating publicly. |
| Covered conductors |
Very modern power-lines protected by polymer layers of covering. They cost more than conventional bare wires, but last longer, need less maintenance, are more impact-resistant, and tend to result in fewer and shorter outages. They also significantly reduce fire risk, because of less sparking and direct conductor contact with trees, etc. |
| Insulator |
A crucial component that prevents electrical current from flowing to unwanted parts of the network. It protects safety and proper functioning. Insulators are typically made of non-conductive materials like glass, porcelain or composites. They isolate conductors from each other and structures on the ground. |
| Switching |
The process of re-routing power flow through different parts of the network, by opening or closing various circuits. For example, if a neighbourhood’s experiencing an outage because its usual supply line from the east gets damaged, we may be able to restore power to customers more quickly by temporarily supplying power through a different line from the west, and then take the necessary time to fix and repower the eastern line. |
| Transformer |
A crucial device that transfers electrical energy between circuits by changing voltage levels. Electricity is usually transported ‘in bulk’ at very high-voltage, via transmission lines, from the power stations that generate it. It then meets a transformer that ‘transforms’ it to low voltage, from which it’s distributed to homes and businesses via the distribution lines you see beside the road. Small transformers can sit atop a power pole. Very large ones are usually ground-based, and referred to as ‘substations’. |
| Trip |
A safety mechanism whereby a circuit breaker automatically disconnects (‘trips’) part of an electrical network, usually due to a fault, overload or something contacting the conductor(s). While it triggers an outage for that area, it helps prevent further damage to equipment, and potential hazards like fires. |
| Voltage |
The pressure, measured in volts, at which electricity travels through a circuit. In Australia, the standard electricity voltage supplied to homes and businesses is 230 volts at AC (alternating current). |
