Chapter 12 Glossary terms

Current in which charged particles travel through a circuit in only one direction

A current in which electrons move back and forth in a circuit

An electrical device that changes the size of the potential difference of an alternating current

A safety device that is placed in series with other circuits that lead to applieances and outlets

A safety device that is found in older buildings and some applieances; like a circuit breaker, it is placed in series with other circuits that lead to appliances and outlets.

The rate at which an appliance uses electircal energy

A unit of electrical power, 1 kilowatt = 1000 W

A practical unit of electrical power; 1 kW = 1000 W

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 ie used

The practical unit of electrical energy

A label that gives details about how much energy an appliance uses in one year of normal use

A meter that records the total electrical energy used hour by hour and sends this information to the utility company automatically

A system of pricing in which the cost of each kW-h of energy used is different at different times of the day

The electricity that is consumed by an appliance or device when it is turned off

The ratio of useful energy output to total energy input, expressed as percentage

The continuous minimum demand for electrical power

The production of electricity using a source of moving water e.g. Niagara Falls

A demand for electricity that is greater than the base load and is met by burning coal and natural gas

The greatest demand for electricity which is met by using hydroelectric power and natural gas

A source of energy that can be replaced in a relatively brief period of time e.g. Solar

A source of energy that cannot be replaced as quickly as it is used e.g. coal

Energy that is directly converted from the energy of the Sun into electricity

The generation of a direct current when certain materials are exposed to light

Electrical energy that is generated from plant and animal matter.