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Running Head: Hydroelectric Power Dams 1
Running Head: Hydroelectric Power Dams 1
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HYDROELECTRIC POWER DAMS 2
The hydroelectric power dams basically refer to the large man-made water reservoirs
which are used in production of electricity. A power source is utilized to turn a turbine, which at
that point turns a metal shaft in an electric generator. The electric generator is the engine that
produces power. The electricity production plant utilizes falling water to turn the turbine. The
principle is to create a dam on a huge waterway that has an expansive drop in height. The dam
stores loads of water behind it in the repository. Close to the base of the dam, there is the water
entrance. Due to the large height which the water is made to fall through, there exists a large
effect of gravity through which water falls freely through the penstock inside the dam and
towards the bottom. Toward the end of the penstock there is a turbine propeller. The turbine
propeller is turned by the moving water as water falls into it by gravity. The turbine has a shaft
which connects it to the generator. As the turbine rotates, the shaft is rotated with equal rotational
magnitude. The rotation is transmitted to the electricity generator which produces electricity in
the same way a bicycle dynamo works to produce power, albeit with water as the source of
energy instead of mechanical energy in the case of a bicycle dynamo. After the generator
produces electricity, the power is transmitted through electric cables which are connected to the
power station plant. The water proceeds past the propeller through the tailrace into the stream
past the dam. The working of the power generator is explained in terms of pressure and the
changes it has on the turbines and the hydraulic effect. A hydraulic turbine changes over the
energy of free flowing water, usually kinetic energy into mechanical energy. A hydroelectric
generator then changes over this mechanical energy into electricity. (Kershaw, 2004)
and magnetic properties discovered by Faraday. He found out that when a magnet is moved past
a transmitter, it causes generation of electric current, making electricity to flow through the poles
HYDROELECTRIC POWER DAMS 3
electromagnets are made by flowing direct current through circles of wire twisted around heaps
of magnetic steel overlays. These are known as field poles, and are mounted on the edge of the
rotor. The rotor is appended to the turbine shaft, and pivots at a settled speed. At the point when
the rotor turns, it causes the field posts to move past the conductors mounted in the stator. He
results is that a current flows and electricity is generated. Voltage also develops at the terminals
transmission to the main center and finally to homes, industries and buildings in general. The
final process involves collection of the various electricity power from the dam. The power is then
channeled into the main center, stepped up into higher voltage and then transmitted through
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