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Alternating current (AC)
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An electric current that continually reverses its direction at regular intervals (usually 60x per second).
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Ampere (amps)
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The basic unit of measurement to measure the rate of flow of an electric current through a conductor.
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Atoms
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The smallest particle of any element. Everything is made up of atoms. Atoms are atom considered a source of vast potential energy.
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Battery
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A group of electric cells that provide electric current. A battery is an example of direct current.
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Blackout
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A period when lights are off as a result of an electrical power failure.
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Brownout
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A temporary reduction in the use or availability of electricity. Brownouts usually cause the lights to dim.
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Capacitor
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A device that stores electricity for future use.
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Cell
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A container filled with a chemical substance (electrodes and electrolytes) that produces an electric current by chemical action.
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Charge
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Electricity produced by a surplus (positive) or shortage (negative) of electrons in an object. A positive charge will cause the object to push, while a negative charge will pull the object. If there is no charge, it is called a neutral charge.
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Circuit
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The complete path electricity follows from a source through a connection to an output device. For example: A circuit can be made from a battery (source) through a copper wire (connection) to a light bulb (output device) and back to the battery.
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Conductor
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A material or object that permits an electric current to flow easily. Common examples of good conductors are metal, salt, water and wool.
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Connection
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The physical connection (e.g. transmission lines, transformers, switch gear, etc.) between two electric systems that allows the transfer of electric energy in one or both directions.
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Coulomb
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The basic unit of measurement of an electric charge. It is equal to the quantity of electricity transferred by a current of one ampere in one second.
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Current
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A steady flow of electric charges through matter.
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Demand
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The rate at which electric energy is delivered to or by a system, either at a given instant or averaged over a designated period of time.
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Direct current (DC)
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An electric current that flows in only one direction (e.g. battery).
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Distribution system
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The portion of an electric system dedicated to delivering electric energy to an end user (homes, businesses, etc.)
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Electricity
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A form of energy found in nature but can also be artificially produced by rubbing together two unlike things (particles with opposite charges (+/-) attract each other).
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Electric system
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Physically connected generation, transmission and distribution facilities operating as a unit to provide electricity to customers.
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Electrolysis
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The production of chemical energy by passing an electric current through a liquid called an electrolyte.
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Electromagnet
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A coil of wire wrapped around a soft iron core that is magnetized when electric current flows through it.
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Electron
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A negatively charged particle that rotates around the nucleus of an atom.
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Energy
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The ability to do work and produce power. Two types of energy are kinetic and potential energy.
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Energy source
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The primary source providing the power be converted to electricity through chemical, mechanical, or other means. Common energy sources include coal, petroleum, gas, water, uranium, wind, sunlight, geothermal, etc.
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Fossil fuel
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Any naturally occurring fuel (formed in the earth from plant or animal remains), such as petroleum, coal and natural gas.
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Fuel
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Any substance that can be burned to produce heat or materials that can be fissioned in a chain reaction to produce heat.
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Fuel cell
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A device that combines a fuel, such as hydrogen gas, with oxygen to produce electricity, water and heat.
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Fuse
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A safety device with a metal wire or strip that melts when the current gets too strong and cuts off the flow of electricity.
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Generator
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A machine that produces electric current by spinning a magnet inside a coil of wire.
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Geothermal energy
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The heat energy that is naturally stored below the earth’s surface.
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Ground
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A connection from an electrical circuit to the earth. Electricity is always looking for the easiest path to the ground.
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Grid
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The power network for electricity. This includes high-voltage transmission lines and substations.
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Hydroelectricity
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The conversion of energy produced from running water into electricity.
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Insulator
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An object or material that does not allow electricity to pass through. Common examples of good insulators are dry air, glass, plastic and rubber.
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Kilowatt (kW)
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A unit for measuring electrical energy. 1,000 watts = 1 kW
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Kilowatt Hour (kWh)
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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 kWh
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Kinetic energy
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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 kWh
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Lightning
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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 kWh
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Load
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The conversion of potential energy into motion.
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Magnet
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A flash of light produced by the static electrical discharge between two clouds or between a cloud and the earth.
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Magnetic field
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The power output of a generator or power plant.
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Mechanical energy
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An object surrounded by a magnetic field that has the ability to attract iron or steel.
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Meter
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A detected force that exists around a magnet.
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Nuclear power
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The energy of motion used to perform work.
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Ohms
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An instrument that records or regulates the amount of electricity passing through it. Power companies read meters to determine how much electricity each customer used.
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Outage
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The energy produced by splitting atoms in a nuclear reactor.
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Potential energy
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The unit of measurement of an object’s resistance to the flow of electricity.
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Power
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The period during which a generating unit, transmission line, or other facility is out of service.
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Protons
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The capability of something to do work or go into motion. E.g. A stopped car has potential energy, but it begins moving it converts to kinetic energy.
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Radio
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The force or energy used to do work (measured in watts).
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Resistance
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A tiny particle in the nucleus (center) of an atom. Protons have a positive charge.
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Scheduled outage
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The sending or receiving of sound through electromagnetic waves through the air without a connecting wire.
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Solar energy
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The opposition of a object or material to electricity passing through it (measured in Ohms).
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Static electricity
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The shutdown of an electrical facility, for inspection or maintenance, which is scheduled in advance.
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Substation
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Energy produced by the Sun’s light and heat.
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Switch
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The buildup and imbalance of like charges.
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Transformer
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Facility equipment on an electric system that switches, changes or regulates electric voltage.
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Transmission
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A device that opens or closes a circuit. This prevents or allows an electric current to flow.
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Voltage
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A device that raises or lowers the voltage or force of AC electricity.
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Volt
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The movement or transfer of electric energy over an electric system between the point it is supplied and the point it is delivered to customers.
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Watt
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The force or pressure that moves electric current through a conductor (measured in volts).
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