Bibliography 4
What are power lines?
A power line is a cable that carries electricity from a power station to the users of the electricity or between electric utilities in a network. The cables are passed from a tall steel lattice structure. Power lines are located high overhead or buried underground. So they do not get in the way of any human activity or are a threat to any wildlife. The wires are spread to prevent birds on perching on them and electrocuting themselves although all wires are surrounded by a layer of thick plastic as plastic is not a conductor of electricity.
About power lines
The power line frequency is extremely low as you can see from the diagram below of the electro magnetic spectrum, and they have long waves and a power frequency EMF, of 50-60Hz which means there is little energy carried and there are no ionising effects and usually no thermal effects. Yet it causes a very weak electrical current flow into the body which may damage a few cells in the body. Power frequency fields have wavelengths of more than 3,100 miles (5,000 km) and consequently have very low energy levels
There are "power frequency" electric and magnetic fields almost everywhere we go because 60 Hz electric power is so widely used. Exposure to magnetic fields comes from many sources, like high voltage "transmission" lines (usually on metal towers) carrying electricity from generating plants to communities and "distribution" lines (usually on wooden poles) bringing electricity to our homes, schools, and work places. Other sources of exposure are internal wiring in buildings, currents in grounding paths (where low voltage electricity returns to the system in plumbing pipes), and electric appliances such as TV monitors, radios, hair dryers and electric blankets.
Power stations/ the electricity network
Power Stations turn the energy of movement into electrical energy which is medium strength or mid voltage. This is changed into more powerful, high-voltage electricity and sent along large cables or wires, high on pylons or buried underground. This network of cables and wires is called the electricity distribution grid. The electricity is then changed back into lower forms, industrial and mains voltage, for use in factories, farms, offices and homes.
CONCLUSION
If we didn’t have power lines our country/world would not be as developed as it is now. No electricity to homes means, no lights, no TV, no stereo system…etc. Power lines in a way save peoples lives in hospital as they provide the electricity to power all the technology and machines. They transport electricity from the generator to where it is needed. Police stations, fire stations, army bases and even to your home. They are essential to life. However they do not need to be overhead power lines which may be threatening to people around them. They can be placed underground where they will not be seen and will not threaded anyone or make residents suspicious of power lines doing any harm to people around power lines. We should also keep checks just in case they do cause any harm and how to prevent any harm from happening. There is one definite danger to power lines and that is if someone touches them. They can cause sever burns, electric shocks and because there is high voltage in power stations they can kill people if used in the wrong way or not kept behind barriers to keep people away from them.
From the section ‘about power lines’ you can see that power lines produce a very low radiation, lower than radio. Hence do not damage people’s health dramatically. They produce a very low frequency so affect the human body little. There must be another factor causing diseases which hasn’t yet been discovered fully.
