Current in which particles travel through a circuit in only one direction
Alternating Current (AC)
A current in which electrons move back and forth in a circuit
Transformer
An electric device that changes the size of the potental difference of an alternating current
Circuit breaker
A safety device that is placed in series with other circuits that lead to appliances and outlets
Fuse
A safety device that is found in older buildings and some appliances; like a circuit breaker, it is placed in series with other circuits that lead to appliances and outlets
Electrical power
The rate at which an appliance uses electrical energy
Watt (W)
A unit of electrical power
1 kilowatt = 1000W
Kilowatt (kW)
A practical unit of electrical power
1kW = 100 W
Electrical energy
the energy that is used by an appliance at a given setting; is determined by multiplying its power rating by the length of time it is used
Kilowatt-hour
the practical unit of electical energy
EnerGuide label
A label that gives details about how much energy an appliance uses in one year of normal use
ex;
Smart meter
A meter that records the total electrical energy used hour by hour and sends this information to the utility company automatically
ex;
Time of use pricing
A system of pricing in which the cost of each kW x h of energy used is different at different times of the day
phantom load
The electricity that is consumed by an appliance or device when it is turned off
Efficiency
The ratio of useful energy output to total energy input, expressed as a percentage
Base load
The continuous minimum demand for electrical power
Hydroelectric power generation
The production of electricity using a source of moving water
Intermediate load
A demand for electricity that is greater than the base load and is met by burning coal and natural gas
Peak load
The greatest demand for electricity, which is met by using hydroelectric power and natural gas
Renewable energy source
A source of energy that can be replaced in a relatively brief period of time
Non- renewable energy source
A source of energy that cannot be replaced as quickly as it is used
Solar energy
energy that is directly converted from the energy of the Sun into electricity
Photovoltaic effect
The generation of a direct current when certain materials are exposed to light
Biomass energy
Energy that is generated from plant and animal matter