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cross section of a hydroelectric power plantclick to hear

Hydroelectric power plant: plant that produces electricity from energy generated by flowing water.
cross section of a hydroelectric power plant screen reservoir water intake penstock busbar draft tube generator unit tailrace afterbay gate scroll case gantry crane access gallery machine hall traveling crane lightning arrester bushing circuit breaker transformer gantry crane gate

screen click to hear

Assembly of bars placed in front of the water intake to hold back anything that could hinder the operation of the turbine.

reservoir click to hear

Basin formed by the construction of a dam; it holds back a very large volume of water so that the flow rate can be controlled.

water intake click to hear

Structure that directs water from the headbay to the penstock to power the plant.

penstock click to hear

Channel that carries water under pressure to the power plant’s turbines.

busbar click to hear

Large aluminum conductor that transmits electric current from the alternator to the transformer.

draft tube click to hear

Conduit at the base of the turbine that increases the runner’s output by reducing the pressure of the water as it exits.

generator unit click to hear

Device with a turbine that transmits the water’s mechanical energy to the generator’s rotor to make it turn to produce electricity.

tailrace click to hear

Channel that discharges water toward the afterbay in order to return it to the watercourse.

afterbay click to hear

Area of the watercourse where water is discharged after passing through the turbines.

gate click to hear

Movable vertical panel that controls the discharge of water to the tailrace.

scroll case click to hear

Duct shaped like a spiral staircase that is used to distribute water uniformly around the turbine to make it turn smoothly.

gantry crane click to hear

Hoisting device in the form of a bridge; it moves along rails.

access gallery click to hear

Underground passageway that provides access to various parts of the dam so that it can be inspected and maintained.

machine hall click to hear

Area that houses the generator units used to produce electricity.

traveling crane click to hear

Hoisting device that travels along aboveground parallel rails; it is used to lift and carry heavy loads.

lightning arrester click to hear

Device that protects the electric facilities from power surges caused by lightning.

bushing click to hear

Device that allows the conductor to pass through the wall of the transformer and separates it from the latter.

circuit breaker click to hear

Mechanism automatically cutting off the power supply in the event of overload.

transformer click to hear

Device used to alter the electric voltage; voltage is increased as the current leaves the power plant so that it can be carried over long distances.

gantry crane click to hear

Hoisting device in the form of a bridge; it moves along rails.

gate click to hear

Movable vertical panel that controls the volume of water in the penstock.