The national grid is a complex network, but here at Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative, we run a similarly impressive operation. With 44,000 electric poles, 1,700 miles of primary conductor, and 18 substations, PPEC delivers electricity to nearly 14,000 homes and businesses — safely and reliably.

WHY SUBSTATIONS MATTER

Substations are the backbone of any electrical grid, ensuring electricity can be transmitted at different voltages. The role of a substation is to convert electricity into lower or higher voltages so it can travel across long distances and eventually enter your home at a usable level.

TRANSFORMERS: VOLTAGE CHANGERS

The magic inside substations happens thanks to transformers These devices adjust voltage through two or more wire coils wrapped around a metal core. The number of wraps determines whether the voltage goes up or down, allowing electricity to safely reach our homes and neighborhoods.

TWO TYPES OF SUBSTATIONS

There are two classes of substations: transmission and distribution. Transmission substations handle high voltages (275kV and above), while distribution substations, like those in PPEC’s system, operate at lower voltages (138kV and below). At PPEC, our substations step down the voltage, making it safe for local distribution to homes and businesses.

KEEPING THE GRID SMOOTH AND SAFE

Substations don’t just convert electricity — they protect it. These hubs are equipped with technology to detect and resolve issues like lightning strikes or faults, ensuring our system runs smoothly without disruptions. This protection equipment helps prevent downtime and ensures the reliability of our service.

Next time you flip a switch, you can thank PPEC’s substations for doing the heavy lifting!