Power Talk! A Glossary of Electrical Terms

Ampere (amp)

Refers to rate of flow of electrons (current). The rate which electrical power flows to a light, tool or appliance.
 

Circuit

A continuous loop of electrical current flowing along wires and cables.
 

Circuit Breaker

A safety device that interrupts an electrical circuit in the event of an overload or short circuit.
 

Conductor

Any material that allows electrical current to flow through it easily. Water and most metals are examples of conductors.
 

Continuity

An uninterrupted electrical pathway through a circuit or electrical fixture.
 

Current

The movement of electrons along a conductor (amps).
 

Fuse

A safety device, usually found in older homes, that interrupts electrical circuits during an overload or short circuit. Newer homes and construc-
tion utilize circuit breakers.
 

Grounding Wire

A wire used in an electrical circuit to conduct current to the earth in the event of a short circuit. The wire is often a bare copper wire.
 

Hot Wire

Any wire that carries voltage. In an electrical circuit, the hot wire usually is covered with black or red insulation.
 

Insulator

Are nonconducting material that resists the flow of electricity. Insulating materials protect wires and cables. Some examples are: 100% rubber, plastic and glass.
 

Kilowatt (KW)

KW equals 1,000 watts.
 

Kilowatt-Hours (KWH)

KWH are the number of kilowatts used for one hour.
 

Meter

A device used to measure the amount of electrical power being used, also known as a KWH meter.
 

Neutral Wire

A wire that returns current at zero voltage to the source of electrical power. Usually covered with white or light gray insulation.
 

Overload

A demand for more current than the circuit wires or electrical device was designed to carry. Usually causes a fuse to blow or a circuit breaker to trip.
 

Power

The result of hot current flowing for a period of time. Use of power makes heat, motion or light.
 

Receptacle

A device that provides plug-in access to electrical power.
 

Service Panel

A metal box usually near the site where electrical power enters the house. In the service panel electrical current is split into individual circuits. The service panel has circuit breakers or fuses to protect each circuit.
 

Short Circuit

An accidental and improper contact between two current-carrying wires, or between a current-carrying wire and grounding conductor.
 

Switch

A device that controls electrical current passing through hot circuit wires. Used to turn lights and appliances on and off.
 

Transformer

An electrical device used to transform the voltage of one circuit to a different value for another circuit. Transformers can transform AC voltage to high values necessary for transmission and distribution, and can lower voltage as required for usage in our homes.
 

Voltage

A measurement of electricity in terms of pressure (volts).
 

Wattage (watts)

A measurement of electrical power in terms of total energy consumed. Watts can be calculated by multiplying the voltage times the amps.