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Conductors will carry electric current. That is, electricity will flow through them. Five expamles of conductors are Wire, Steel, Water, Wood (poor), and PEOPLE.

Insulators will not carry electric current. That is, electricity will not flow through them. Some examples of insulators are Glass, Rubber, and Plastic. The linemen wear rubber gloves, a plastic hardhat, and are in a plastic (fiberglass) bucket when they work on the power lines. The insulators on top of the poles that keep the power line from touching the wood poles are made of glass (or ceramic). Here are some pictures of glass and ceramic insulators:

Safety Rules

Downed Power Line on Fence
If a power line falls on a fence, you should never get anywhere close to the fence. The electricity can travel through the fence (made of metal) and shock you even though you may not be near the spot where the power line is touching the fence.

Where is the best place to fly a kite?
The best place to fly a kite is a big open field where there are no power lines.

Power Lines on Top of Cars
If a power line fell on your vehicle, would you stay in or get out? STAY IN. The rubber tires on the vehicle protect it. Remember, rubber is an insulator. Also remember that people are conductors. Lastly, remember that electricity is always trying to get to the ground. That means if you step out of the vehicle, the electricity will flow through you to get to the ground. The same holds true if you see someone else's vehicle with a power line on top. Don't go near it, just go to a telephone and call for help.

Tree Near Power Line
What is a good tree to climb? A good tree to climb is one that is not near a power line. If the wind blows, a limb of the tree could touch the power line. Remember, wood is a conductor. So if you want to climb a tree, make sure there are no power lines near it.
Note: Also remember that if you or your parents are going to plant a tree, look up and make sure it won't be near a power line when it gets tall.

(This is NOT a good tree to climb!)

Squirrels and Other Animals Causing Outages
The number one cause of power outages is small animals. Small animals like squirrels like to rest on top of the transformers because they are warm. When they get ready to move, they may touch a power line, or get near enough for it to arc, which will kill the animal and cause the power to go out.

Antenna on House
If you have an antenna on your house, make sure it is not near a power line. When the wind blows, the antenna could sway. If it is near a power line, it could touch it. This would cause the electricity to come down the antenna and into your house. It would most likely catch your house on fire. Definitely a safety hazard.

Some Other Rules to Remember

If you are swimming when it starts to storm, get out. If lightning were to strike it would kill you. Remember, water & people are good conductors of electricity.

If you are out on a boat, such as a sailboat, make sure the mast or any other part of the boat does not get near power lines.

When you dry your hair, listen to the radio, or use a curling iron, make sure you do not get these near water. Never get anything that plugs in near water. Since water is a good conductor, if you get anything electric in the water, it will kill you.

The plastic yellow protectors you see on power lines are called guy wires. These are there so that you can see them. The wires that these are on hold the power lines tight. If you were playing on one of these and the wires got loose, they could touch each other & cause an electrical outage and maybe even an explosion (ball of fire).

Remember, always look up and be cautious if power lines are present.








	What is Electricity? Electricity is the flow of electrons (electrons are so small that a billion of them will fit in the ball of a ball-point pen!) Electricity travels at 186,000 miles per second. If you could travel that fast, you could travel around the world eight times in the amount of time it takes to turn on a light switch. CPWS buys electricity from TVA and it leaves there at 500,000 volts. It goes from there to our substations at 161,000 or 46,000 volts. Then, it leaves the substations at 13,000 volts. From there, it goes to the transformers on the poles and is transformed down to 120 & 240 volts so it can be used in our homes. Electricity is always trying to get to the ground (earth), or zero voltage (current path). Electricity travels in a path called a circuit. It will not leave the circuit unless it can find an easier path to the ground...it is always looking for the quickest way to get to the ground. The ground is the earth or something touching the earth, like the steps of a ladder or even a roof. If you touch the circuit and the ground at the same time, you become the easiest path to the ground. It's very important that you NOT be electricity's path to the ground! Conductors & Insulators Conductors will carry electric current. That is, electricity will flow through them. Five expamles of conductors are Wire, Steel, Water, Wood (poor), and PEOPLE. Insulators will not carry electric current. That is, electricity will not flow through them. Some examples of insulators are Glass, Rubber, and Plastic. The linemen wear rubber gloves, a plastic hardhat, and are in a plastic (fiberglass) bucket when they work on the power lines. The insulators on top of the poles that keep the power line from touching the wood poles are made of glass (or ceramic). Here are some pictures of glass and ceramic insulators: Safety Rules Downed Power Line on Fence If a power line falls on a fence, you should never get anywhere close to the fence. The electricity can travel through the fence (made of metal) and shock you even though you may not be near the spot where the power line is touching the fence. Where is the best place to fly a kite? The best place to fly a kite is a big open field where there are no power lines. Power Lines on Top of Cars If a power line fell on your vehicle, would you stay in or get out? STAY IN. The rubber tires on the vehicle protect it. Remember, rubber is an insulator. Also remember that people are conductors. Lastly, remember that electricity is always trying to get to the ground. That means if you step out of the vehicle, the electricity will flow through you to get to the ground. The same holds true if you see someone else's vehicle with a power line on top. Don't go near it, just go to a telephone and call for help. Tree Near Power Line What is a good tree to climb? A good tree to climb is one that is not near a power line. If the wind blows, a limb of the tree could touch the power line. Remember, wood is a conductor. So if you want to climb a tree, make sure there are no power lines near it. Note: Also remember that if you or your parents are going to plant a tree, look up and make sure it won't be near a power line when it gets tall. (This is NOT a good tree to climb!) Squirrels and Other Animals Causing Outages The number one cause of power outages is small animals. Small animals like squirrels like to rest on top of the transformers because they are warm. When they get ready to move, they may touch a power line, or get near enough for it to arc, which will kill the animal and cause the power to go out. Antenna on House If you have an antenna on your house, make sure it is not near a power line. When the wind blows, the antenna could sway. If it is near a power line, it could touch it. This would cause the electricity to come down the antenna and into your house. It would most likely catch your house on fire. Definitely a safety hazard. Some Other Rules to Remember If you are swimming when it starts to storm, get out. If lightning were to strike it would kill you. Remember, water & people are good conductors of electricity. If you are out on a boat, such as a sailboat, make sure the mast or any other part of the boat does not get near power lines. When you dry your hair, listen to the radio, or use a curling iron, make sure you do not get these near water. Never get anything that plugs in near water. Since water is a good conductor, if you get anything electric in the water, it will kill you. The plastic yellow protectors you see on power lines are called guy wires. These are there so that you can see them. The wires that these are on hold the power lines tight. If you were playing on one of these and the wires got loose, they could touch each other & cause an electrical outage and maybe even an explosion (ball of fire). Remember, always look up and be cautious if power lines are present.