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