Electric Basics
AC Alternating current
alternating current The flow of electricity through a conductor that continuously reverses its direction of flow
ampere The measure of how much electricity is moving through a conductor
capacity The potential for generating power of a power plant. Capacity is measured in kilowatts
circuit A conductor, such as a wire, through which electric current flows
circuit breaker Switch that opens an electric circuit when a short occurs or the system is otherwise overly stressed
conductor Material that allows an electric current to pass through it
current The flow of electrically charged particles
DC Direct current
direct current Electricity that flows through a conductor in a single direction
electricity Electric power that results from the movement of electrons in a conductor from a negatively charged point to a positively charged point
fuse A protective device for electric circuits containing a wire designed to melt and open the circuit under abnormally high electric loads
ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) Ground fault circuit interrupter.
high voltage Voltage in a power line that is higher than the 120 - 240 volts used in most homese that instantly breaks the circuit when a short develops. Required wherever electrical equipment might come into contact with water
kilovolt (kv) The amount of electric force carried through a high-voltage transmission line
kilowatt (kw) Basic unit of electric demand
kilowatt-hour (kwh) Basic measure of electric energy generation or use
magawatt (mw) Equal to 1,000 kilowatts
megawatt-hour (mwh) Equal to 1,000 kilowatt-hours
ohm Measures resistance of current flow in electrical circuits
voltage Potential electric energy
volt Unit of electric force that measures the pressure of electricity
volt ampere The basic unit of electric power
watt (w) Standard unit of electric power. Named for James Watt, a 19th-century Scottish engineer
watt-hour (wh) Energy converted or consumed at a rate of one watt during one hour
Source: 2001 version of Use or Usage A Rural Electric Guide to Style