Chapter 12 Glossary Terms

• Current in which charged particles travel through a circuit in only one current
• e.g 10 DC wall adapter

• A current in which electrons move back and forth in a circuit
• e.g. 12 AC Adapter

• An electric device that changes the size of the potential difference of an alternating current
• e.g. Converting 120 to 240

• A safety device that is placed in a series with other circuits that lead to appliances and outlets
• e.g. Usually in the basement or garage
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• A safety device that is found in older buildings and some appliances; like a circuit breaker, it is placed in a series with other circuits that lead to appliances and outlets
• e.g. Cars have fuses under the steering
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• The rate at which an appliance uses electrical energy
• e.g. Stove uses 50 kwh

• A unit of electrical power, 1 kilowatt = 1000 watts (W)
• e.g. 1000w Hair Dryer

• A practical unit of electrical power; 1 kilowatt = 1000 watts (W)
• e.g. 4 kw lamp

• The energy that is used by an appliance at a given setting; is determined by multiplying it's power rating by the length of time it is used
• e.g. Dryers use a lot of electrical energy

• The practical unit of electrical energy
• e.g. 9.6 cents per kwh

• A label that gives details about how much energy an appliance uses in one year of normal use
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• 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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• A system of pricing in which the cost of each kWh of energy used is different at different times of the day
• e.g. 4 cents per kwh

• The electricity that is consumed by an appliance or a device when it is turned off
• e.g. A stove using electricity by clock
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• The ratio of useful energy output to the total energy input, expressed as a percentage
• e.g. A microwave that is 44% efficient

The continuous minimum demand for electrical power

• The production of electricity using a source of moving water
• e.g. Dams

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

• 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
• e.g. Solar Panels
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• The generation of a direct current when certain materials are exposed to light
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• Energy from biomass fuels
• e.g Energy created from animal fuels