Glossary
| Alternating current (AC): | Electric current that reverses directions at regular intervals. |
| Amps: | Measurement of current flow through a conductor. |
| Atom: | The smallest unit of matter. Everything in the world is made of different combinations of atoms. |
| Battery: | A single or group of connected electric cells that produces a direct electric current (DC). |
| Blackout: | Total loss of electric power from the power distributor. |
| Brownout: | A temporary reduction of voltage supplied by the electric power distributor. |
| Capacitance: | The ability of a component to store an electrical charge. |
| Charge: | Electricity produced by a surplus or a shortage of electrons in an object. |
| Circuit: | The path followed by a flow of electric current. |
| Conductor: | A substance or material that allows electrons, or electrical current, to flow through it. |
| Current: | The movement or flow of electricity through a conductor. |
Direct Current (DC): |
Electric current flowing in only one direction |
| Distribution Lines: | Overhead or underground power lines that carry electricity through cities and neighborhoods to your home or business. |
| Electricity: | The flow of electrons. |
| Electron: | A negatively charged particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom. The flow of electrons produces electricity. |
| Energy: | The ability to do work. Energy = Power x Time |
| Energy Management System: | A system designed to ensure safety, security, and reliability to an electrical network. |
| Fission: | The splitting apart of an atom’s nucleus, releasing heat energy. |
| Fuse: | An electrical safety device consisting of a wire or strip of fusible metal that melts and interrupts the circuit when the current exceeds a preset amperage. |
| Generator: | A machine which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. |
| Geothermal Energy: | Heat energy that is stored below the earth’s surface. |
| Ground: | An electrical connection to the earth. |
| Grid: | A power systems layout of its substations and power lines. |
| Hydroelectricity: | Electricity generated by flowing water making a turbine spin. |
| Insulator: | Any material that will not allow electricity to easily flow through. |
| Kilowatt (kW): | A unit for measuring electrical energy. |
| Kilowatt Hour (kWh): | One kilowatt of electrical energy produced or used in one hour. |
| Lightning: | A flash of light caused by an atmospheric electrical discharge between two clouds or between a cloud and the earth. |
| Lightning Arrestor: | A device used to protect an electrical component from over-voltage. |
| Load: | An electrical device or devices that use electric power. |
| Magnet: | An object surrounded by a magnetic field that has the ability to attract iron or steel. |
| Magnetic Field: | An identified force that exists around a magnet or electrical field. |
| Megawatt: | One million watts. |
| Meter: | An instrument that records the amount of something passing through it, such as electricity. |
| Motor: | A device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. |
| Neutron: | A basic particle in an atom’s nucleus that has a neutral electrical charge. |
| Nuclear Power: | Energy produced by splitting atoms in a nuclear reactor. |
| Nucleus: | The center of an atom that contains both protons and neutrons. |
| Ohms: | The unit of measurement of the electrical resistance of a material. |
| Power: | Energy used to do work measured in watts. |
| Power Factor: | The inefficient use of electrical power; the ratio of watts to volt-amperes. |
| Proton: | A basic particle in an atom’s nucleus that has a positive charge. |
| Radio: | An electrical device that is capable of sending or receiving messages by means of electromagnetic waves through the air. |
| Resistance: | The resistance to flow of electricity through a material. |
| SCADA Systems: | Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition. A Computer system used to remotely monitor and control substation equipment. |
| Socket: | An opening into which something fits, such as a light socket. |
| Solar Energy: | Energy produced by the sun’s light or heat. |
| Spike: | A short duration of increased voltage lasting only one-half of a cycle. |
| Static Electricity: | An electrical charge built up due to friction between two dissimilar materials. |
| Substation: | An electrical facility where transformers lower high transmission voltages to be distributed to customers. |
| Surge: | A short duration of increased voltage. |
| Switch: | An electrical component used for connecting, breaking, or changing the connections in an electrical circuit. |
| Thermal: | Of, using, producing, or caused by heat. |
| Thermography: | A technique used for detecting and measuring the heat emitted by various objects, such as an electrical distribution panel. This technique can be recorded photographically. |
| Transformer: | An electrical device that will raise or lower electricity’s voltage and current. |
| Turbine-generator: | A large fan(s) that is coupled to a generator field. This turbine (fan) is put into motion by the force of water, steam, or hot exhaust gases that rotate the turbine. |
| Volt: | The unit of measurement of force used to produce an electric current. |
| Watt: | A unit for measuring electric power. |
| Wind turbine: | A machine that uses energy from the wind and transfers the motion to an electric generator. |
