Electric Circuits

All matter is made up of atoms. Atoms are made up of particles called electrons, protons and neutrons. Electrons are negatively charged, protons are positively charged and neutrons are neutral. One or more electrons can break away from each atom. The matter that loses electrons from its atoms becomes positively charged and the matter that gains electrons becomes negatively charged. An object that has no charge is called electrically neutral.

Electricity is the flow of these electrons. When many electrons are forced to move in one direction at the same time, an electric current forms. The flow of electrons contains energy that can be put to work. The path where electrons flow is called an electric circuit.

The electrons in a negatively charged object are waiting for a chance to move to an object that is neutral or positively charged. The path electricity takes in moving from a negatively charged object to a neutral or positively charged object is called an electric circuit.

For example, batteries have positive (+) and negative (-) posts. If a wire only touches one post or the other, there is no flow of electrons. However, a wire touching both posts completes the circuit and an electric current will flow through it. An electric device such as a light bulb, radio, or video game can be connected to both posts with wires. The electric current flows to the device and the device operates.

ATCO Power, a sister company to ATCO Electric, produces electricity at its generating stations. This electricity is transmitted to customers by electric current flowing through conductors (wires). These conductors are called transmission or distribution lines. These transmission and distribution wires, when connected to electric equipment, form electric circuits. Flow of charges in these electric circuits causes energy to transfer from power stations to consumer equipment.