Wired World

3 2 It’s a Wired World Electricity is everywhere. This book is about how electric circuits work. Once you know about circuits, you’ll know how to stay safe around electricity. When you reach the end of this book, you’ll be ready to teach other kids about electrical safety. You’ve got a D battery, a flashlight bulb, and some copper wire stripped at the ends. Using these materials, see how many ways you can get the bulb to light. You may want to use tape to hold your circuit together. 1 2 3 4 What requirements must be met in order for the bulb to light? Transmission Lines Distribution Lines Generating Plant Substation Underground Distribution Lines In this picture, electricity travels from a generating plant over transmission lines to a substation where the voltage is decreased. Then overhead and underground distribution lines carry it to homes and schools where we use it for lights, appliances, motors, and equipment. Work with a team or a partner to find out what you already know about electrical safety. For each of the numbered locations, describe a dangerous behavior and at least one way to stay safe. Write your ideas below. TEAMWORK TEAMWORK Let It Shine When you flip a light switch on the classroom wall, you’re drawing electricity all the way from a power plant to your light bulb. With just a battery, wire, and a bulb, you too can bring light to the classroom. The battery is like a power plant, and the wire carries electricity. Add the flashlight bulb, and you’ve got an electric circuit that is similar to the one that runs from the power plant to electricity customers and back. Draw a diagram showing an unsuccessful circuit. Draw a diagram showing one of your successful circuits. SAFETY BASICS 2 1 Transformer Service Drop 3 Home 4 Switch Cabinet School © 2015 Culver Media, LLC 800-428-5837 Product #36695 Run #5095 September 2015 Printed by Quad/Graphics, Waseca, MN Circuit: a closed path along which electricity can travel. The circuit you build is like the one from the power plant to your home or school. But the electric current in your home is much STRONGER than the current in your team’s circuit. NEVEREXPERIMENTWITH HOUSEHOLDELECTRICITY. YOUCOULDBESERIOUSLY HURTORKILLED.