Power distribution

When I was in college, I worked between semesters as an office temp. Several of my jobs were at the power company in San Francisco. The jobs weren't particularly challenging, which meant I was good at them with minimal effort. Along the way, I learned a few things (very few) about electric power generation and distribution.

These look like transmission lines.

There is a difference between power transmission and distribution. The big power lines we see held up high by large steel towers and spanning long distances are usually what are referred to as "transmission lines." They move high tension power from generating plants (gas, coal, hydro, nuclear) to substations where the electrical power is "transformed" to voltages that customers can use. The power is then sent through lower tension "distribution lines" that are strung from common telephone poles, or underground conduits from the substations to customers. Often, that power is once again transformed locally before delivery to residential customers.

That is the sum total of what I learned by answering phones and typing letters for the electric company.