Torque
Torque is the primary power source for basic factories such as water pumps or objects such as belts.
It can be generated by the torque power plants such as Wind Mill or Water Wheel.
Torque is transferred from the generator through the rods, belts, and factories.
You can inspect the network in the power tab at the info panel of each building.
Belts and rods transfer power without having sockets on themselves. They just need to lead to the factory where it has at least one socket.
Notice the green sockets will appear after selecting any object from the building menu. If you discard the selection they disappear.
Once you place a rod into a socket then the socket remains visible.
If you bring a rod/a belt into part of the factory that doesn't have a socket it will not connect the factory to the network.
If the factory has no socket then the factory doesn't require the power and it will not transfer it.
Later use a converter to convert Torque to Electricity or Electricity to Torque.