Electrical energy components: a complete guide

Electrical energy: essential concepts

Harnessing electricity has been one of the most revolutionary technological achievements in history, transforming industry and dramatically improving quality of life. Since its discovery, technological and social progress has accelerated at an extraordinary pace. But how familiar are you with the concepts behind electrical energy? This guide explains the essential terms you need to understand how electricity works, from generation through to the point where it reaches consumers.

Image of an electricity grid with a beam of light passing through its cables

Electricity travels a long way and undergoes changes in voltage and intensity before reaching a home.

How much do you know about electricity? This form of energy, produced by the movement of electrically charged particles such as electrons through a conductor, involves a wide range of concepts and components. To help you understand how it works, along with the electrical quantities and components needed to use electricity safely and efficiently, we've explained the most important electrical terms you should know.

Electrical quantities

Electricity is defined by several electrical quantities that help us measure and understand how electrical and electronic systems work. From the point where electricity is generated to the moment you switch on a light at home, these quantities describe how electricity behaves at every stage and how it interacts with the components connected to the system.

Voltage (Volts)

Voltage measures the difference in electrical potential between two points and is expressed in volts (V). It is also commonly referred to as electrical tension – which may be classified as high, medium or low voltage – or simply as potential difference.

To understand the concept, imagine a standard 1.5 V battery. The negative terminal (-) is full of electrons eager to move, while the positive terminal (+) attracts them. The 1.5 volts do not represent the amount of energy stored in the battery, but rather the force that pushes the electrons from the negative terminal to the positive one.

When the two terminals are connected by a wire, this force is released and the electrons flow towards the positive terminal, creating the electric current that powers devices such as a torch.
Current (Amperes)

If voltage refers to the force that pushes electrons from one terminal to another, electric current measures how much charge actually flows. In other words, it is the amount of charged particles – electrons or ions – moving through a conductor.

Imagine water flowing through a pipe. The water represents the charged particles travelling from one point to another. In this analogy, the current is equivalent to the flow rate of the water. Electric current is measured in amperes (A), named after the French physicist André-Marie Ampère.

As these charged particles move, they generate a magnetic field around the conductor. This phenomenon is the principle behind devices such as electromagnets.
Resistance (Ohms)

As its name suggests, electrical resistance is the opposition that electric current encounters as it flows through a conductor. In the International System of Units (SI), resistance is measured in ohms (Ω), represented by the Greek letter omega.

Returning to the water-pipe analogy, resistance is similar to narrowing the pipe. The restriction reduces both the amount of water that can flow and the force with which it travels, just as electrical resistance limits the flow of current.
Contracted power (kilowatts)

Contracted power is the maximum amount of electrical power that a customer can use simultaneously in their installation, as specified in their electricity supply contract. It is measured in kilowatts (kW).
Energy consumption (kilowatt-hours)

Energy consumption refers to the total amount of electricity used while an electrical appliance is operating. For example, it is the energy consumed while your washing machine completes a full wash cycle. Because it depends on both power and time, it is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).

What is electrical energy

How it is generated, sources and types.

Hybrid electric power

When combining renewables makes them stronger.

What is energy storage

The key to a decarbonised future.

Difference between high, medium and low voltage

Discover their different peculiarities and uses.

Difference between alternating and direct current

We explain each term in detail.

Do you know how an electrical substation works?

Learn about all the elements that are used in its design.

What are submarine cables?

Discover its importance for the interconnection of electricity grids worldwide.

Fundamental electrical laws

To better understand how the main electrical quantities are related, it is important to understand two fundamental laws that govern electricity: Ohm's Law and Joule's Law.

Ohm's Law

This law, formulated by German physicist and mathematician Georg Simon Ohm, is used to determine the relationship between voltage (V), current (I) and resistance (R) in an electrical circuit.

It is expressed through the formula V = R · I. It can also be rearranged to calculate current, in which case the formula becomes I = V/R.

In practice, this formula explains how electrons behave when travelling through a cable:

The higher the voltage, the higher the current. If resistance (R) remains constant and voltage (V) increases, more electrons will flow through the conductor, meaning the current (I) will also increase. Returning to the water analogy, this is similar to increasing the amount of water flowing through a pipe.
The higher the resistance, the lower the current. Conversely, if resistance (R) increases while voltage (V) remains the same, the electric current will decrease. Using the same water analogy, this would be like squeezing a hose while water is flowing through it. The pressure applied to the hose creates resistance, reducing the amount of water that can pass through.

Joule's Law

Formulated by physicist James Prescott Joule, this law explains a very common everyday phenomenon: why electrical devices heat up when they are operating. In simple terms, when electric current passes through a cable or circuit, electrons constantly collide and interact with the atoms in the conductive material. This friction generates kinetic energy that is released as thermal energy (heat).

The Joule effect appears in many everyday applications:

In appliances and electrical devices: its application allows everyday products such as toasters, hair dryers and ceramic hobs to operate by making use of this phenomenon.
As a safety measure: in electrical installations, this principle is considered when installing fuses. These devices interrupt the flow of electricity when the temperature exceeds a predefined safety limit.
However, it can also present risks: the Joule effect explains why a plug may overheat or why an electrical short circuit can develop into an accidental fire. Understanding its effects and monitoring the temperature of electrical devices during use can help prevent accidents.

Electrical and safety system components

When you arrive home and switch on the lights, this simple everyday action relies on a complex electrical installation that delivers energy safely for use. These are the key components you should know about:

Main distribution panel

The main distribution panel in a home or building centralises all the control and safety mechanisms that distribute the electricity entering the property. It is also commonly known as the electrical panel or breaker panel. It contains the circuit breakers and the residual current device (RCD), which regulate the flow of electricity to the different parts of the installation.

Residual current device (RCD)

The main function of the residual current device (RCD) is to detect electrical faults or current leaks and interrupt the electricity supply when necessary.

Circuit breaker

Miniature circuit breakers (MCBs), also known as thermal-magnetic circuit breakers, are located inside the main distribution panel and control the electricity supplied to different circuits in a home or to specific electrical appliances. The main distribution panel must contain at least five of these circuit breakers per residual current device, and the maximum number depends on the number of circuits installed in the building. These circuits may correspond to specific appliances (such as refrigerators, washing machines or ceramic hobs) or different areas of a home (such as lighting, bathrooms or kitchens).

Circuit breakers are selected according to the amperage required to protect each circuit. For example, they may range from 10 A for lighting circuits to 16 A or 25 A for electrical appliances requiring greater power.

Cable types: phase, neutral and ground

Electrical installations contain different types of conductors, each with a specific function to ensure the correct operation and safety of the system. To make them easier to identify, conductors are distinguished using a standardised colour code: Phase (L): brown, black or grey; Neutral (N): blue; y Protective conductor or ground (PE): green and yellow.

Phase conductor (L): This is the active conductor, which is at a specific voltage relative to ground and other phase conductors. Its function is to supply electrical energy to the installation's receivers. It is identified by the colours brown, black or grey.
Neutral conductor (N): This conductor is connected to the neutral point of the electricity network and allows current to return, completing the electrical circuit. Its standardised colour is blue.
Ground conductor: The earthing system is a safety mechanism consisting of wiring that connects the electrical installation to the ground in order to divert any unwanted electrical current. Its purpose is to protect people and electrical equipment. It is usually identified by the green and yellow colour combination.

Types of current

Electric current is the orderly movement of electric charges through a conductor. Depending on how these charges move, there are two main types of electric current: direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC). Each has distinct characteristics and applications.

Alternating current (AC)

In alternating current (AC), electrons continuously change the direction in which they move. This type of current enables electricity to be transmitted efficiently over long distances and is the form of electricity used in homes, industries and electricity networks.

One of its defining characteristics is frequency, which indicates the number of cycles the current completes each second and is measured in hertz (Hz). In Spain, the electricity network operates at 50 Hz, meaning the current completes 50 cycles per second.

A common example of alternating current is the electricity that powers household sockets and lighting. Because of its high frequency, these changes in direction are imperceptible to the human eye.

Direct current (DC)

In direct current (DC), electrons always flow in the same direction, from one terminal of the power source to the other. It is characterised by having a fixed polarity, with one positive (+) terminal and one negative (−) terminal.

This type of current is supplied by batteries, rechargeable batteries, solar panels and many electronic power supplies. One of its main advantages is that it can be stored easily in batteries, making it essential for portable devices and energy storage systems.

Electricity generation

Electric power infrastructure: from generation to consumption

From the moment electricity is generated at a power plant – whether using renewable or non-renewable energy sources – it travels through an extensive transmission and distribution network before reaching consumers.

To transport electricity efficiently, its voltage is first increased using transformers, allowing it to travel over high-voltage transmission lines. It then passes through electrical substations and transformer stations, where the voltage is progressively reduced to levels suitable for distribution and final consumption.

Finally, electricity reaches homes, businesses and industries through the distribution network, where it can be used safely through sockets, lighting circuits and other electrical equipment.

Renewable energy sources

The growing electrification of our economy is driving demand for energy sources that will not run out. These are renewable energy sources: natural resources that are either inexhaustible – such as wind, water and sunlight – or can regenerate within a relatively short period, as is the case with biomass.

The main technologies used to harness these natural resources include onshore and offshore wind power, hydroelectric power and solar photovoltaic energy.
Non-renewable energy sources

In contrast, technologies that rely on finite resources are known as non-renewable energy sources. These can be divided into two categories: fossil fuels and nuclear energy.

Fossil fuels include oil, natural gas and coal, all of which are widely used to generate electricity. However, they are associated with increased CO₂ emissions and their impact on the climate. In addition, these resources are finite and will eventually be depleted, meaning they cannot meet the world's long-term energy needs indefinitely.

This category also includes nuclear energy, which is considered a low-emissions source of electricity. It works by releasing the energy contained within the nucleus of an atom through the process of nuclear fission, which is the technology currently used commercially, or nuclear fusion, which is still under development and remains at the experimental stage.