Current in which charged particles travel through a circuit in only one direction
Alternating current (AC)
A current in which the electrons move back and forth in a circuit
Transformer
An electrical device that changes the size of the potential difference of an alternating current
Circuit breaker
A safety device that is placed in series with the other circuits that lead to appliances and other 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 other outlets
Electrical power
The rate at which an appliance uses electrical energy
Watt (W)
A unit of electrical power; 1 kilowatt = 1000 W
Kilowatt (kW)
The practical unit of electrical power; 1 kW = 1000 W
Electrical energy
The energy that is used by an appliance at a given setting; is determine by multiplying its power rating by the length of time it is used
Kilowatt-hour (kW∙h)
The practical unit of electrical energy
EnerGuide label
A label that gives details about how much energy an appliance uses in one year
Smart meter
A meter that records the total electrical energy used hour by hour and sends the information to the utility company automatically
Time of use pricing
A system of pricing in which the cost of each kW⋅h of energy used is different at different times
Phantom load
The electricity that is consumed by an appliance or device when it is turned off
E.g. Digital video recorders, Computer, Chargers for phones and electronics
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 that is greater than base load and is met by burning coal and natural gas
Peak load
the greatest demand for electrical energy, met by using hydro and natural gas
Renewable energy source
A source of energy that can be replaced in a relatively brief period of time
