Glossary
A
Alternating current - An electric current that reverses directions at regular intervals (typically 60 times a second); abbreviated "AC." This current found in homes.
Amps - The measurement of the flow of an electric current through a conductor.
B
Battery - A single electric cell, or group of connected cells, that produces a direct electric current.
Blackout - The total loss of electric power supplied by the electric company.
Brownout - A temporary reduction of voltage supplied by the electric company. Typically causes lights to dim.
C
Cell - A container filled with a chemical substance consisting of electrodes and electrolytes that produce an electric current by chemical action.
Charge - Electricity produced by a surplus (position) or shortage (negative) of electrons in an object.
Circuit - A complete or partial path followed by a flow of electric current.
Conductor - A substance or material that allows electrons, or electrical current, to flow through it.
Current - The flow of electricity through a conductor.
D
Direct current - An electric current flowing in only one direction; abbreviated "DC".
Dynamo - The first type of large generator developed for a power plant.
E
Electricity - A form of energy from the movement of electrons from one element to another producing a charge.
Electrolysis - The production of chemical energy by passing an electric current through a liquid called an electrolyte.
Electromagnet - A coil of wire that is wrapped around a soft iron core that is magnetized when electric current flows through it.
Electromagnetic - Objects made magnetic by an electric current.
Electron - A negatively charged atom that rotates around the nucleus of an atom.
Energy - The power for doing work.
F
Fuel cell - A device in which a fuel, such as hydrogen gas, is combined with oxygen to produce electricity, water, and heat.
Fuse - A safety device with a metal wire or strip that melts when the current gets too strong, cutting off the flow of the electrical current.
G
Generator - A machine for producing electrical current when rotated by an external driver such as a turbine.
Geothermal energy - The heat energy that is stored below the earth's surface.
Ground - A connection from an electrical circuit to the earth.
Grid - The power highways for electricity, including substations and large power lines.
H
Hydroelectricity - Electric energy made by the conversion of energy produced from running water.
I
Insulator - An object or material that does not let electricity pass through it.
K
Kilowatt (kW) - A unit for measuring electrical energy.
- 1,000 watts = 1 kilowatt
Kilowatt Hour (kWh) - The use of 1,000 watts of electricity for one full hour.
- 1 kWh = ten 100 watt bulbs all burning at the same time for one hour.
- 10 bulbs x 100 watts each x 1 hour = 1,000 watts hours or 1kWh.
L
Lightning - A static electrical discharge between two clouds or between a cloud and the earth accompanied by a flash of light.
Load - The electrical device or devices that use electric power.
M
Magnet - An object surrounded by a magnetic field that has the natural ability to attract iron or steel.
Magnetic field - A detected force that exists around a magnet or electrical field.
Mechanical energy - The energy of motion used to perform work.
Megawatt - One million watts, or 1,000 kW.
Meter - An instrument that records or regulates the amount of something passing through it, like electricity, water, or gas.
Motor - A machine that produces motion or power for doing work.
N
Nuclear power - The energy produced by splitting atoms in a nuclear reactor.
O
ohm - The unit of measurement of the electrical resistance of a material to the flow of current.
P
Photovoltaic - Capable of producing a voltage when exposed to light or other radiation.
Power - The force or energy used to do work.
R
Radio - The sending or receiving of messages or effects, like sound, by means of electromagnetic waves through the air without a connecting wire.
Resistance - The resistance to flow of electricity through a material.
S
Socket - A hollow opening or cavity into which something fits, such as an electric light socket.
Solar energy - Energy produced by the action of the sun's light or heat.
Static electricity - An electrical charge that builds up due to friction between two dissimilar materials. Friction removes some electrons from one object and deposits them on the other.
Switch - A device for connecting, breaking, or changing the connections in an electrical circuit.
T
Thermal - Of, using, producing, or caused by heat.
Transformer - A device that raises or lowers the voltage or force of AC electricity.
Turbine-generator - A machine in which the energy of a moving fluid, such as water or steam, is converted to mechanical power that drives an electric generator.
V
Volt - A unit for measuring the force used to produce an electric current; the push or force that moves electric current through a conductor.
W
Watt - A unit for measuring electric power.
- 1 Kilowatt = 1000 watts.
- 1 Megawatt = 1,000,000 watts.
Wind turbine - A machine that captures the energy of the wind and transfers the motion to an electric generator shaft.
