Electric infrastructure (sometimes referred to as “the grid”) is the network that delivers electricity from power plants to homes and businesses. It consists of three primary components: generation, transmission, and distribution systems.  

Transmission 

Transmission lines carry high-voltage electricity over long distances. They are supported by large towers and can span many miles and across states. 

Once the transmission system carries the electricity to a substation, the voltage is reduced through transformers to a usable level for homes and most businesses. This is where the distribution system begins.  

Distribution  

Distribution lines carry lower-voltage electricity from substations to homes, schools, and businesses. These lines are most commonly supported by electric poles in the public rights-of-way, which form the core of the visible distribution network. Electric poles are strategically engineered and spaced to maintain proper wire tension and safety clearances. They are equipped to withstand environmental conditions such as wind, rain, and some ice.  

Distribution poles play a critical role in maintaining consistent and reliable power delivery. They typically carry three types of wires:  

• Primary distribution lines: These lines carry electricity at medium voltage. 

• Secondary lines: These further reduce voltage for household use. 

• Neutral or ground wires: These help to ensure safety and system balance.  

Poles may also support transformers, which step down the voltage to final usable levels. Electric distribution poles can also accommodate telecommunication and cable broadband lines, thus serving as the physical backbone of broadband deployment.  

Understanding the basics of electric infrastructure — particularly the transmission and distribution system and its poles — highlights how vital and complex this network is in powering everyday life.