Glossary
Categories
Electrical Definitions
Access Point
A wireless networked device usually connected to a wireless LAN used to access the wired LAN.
Alternating Current
Current which flows between positive and negative charges. Also known as AC current. Usually 50 or 60 cycles per second or 50 to 60 Hertz.
Alternator
A electromechanical device for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Ambient Temperature
Temperature of the surrounding air.
Amp
A basic electrical measurement. Measures the flow of electrons (current). One Amp is produced by an electric force of one volt acting across a resistance of ohm.
Ampacity
The current in amperes that a conductor can carry continuously under given conditions of use without exceeding its temperature rating.
Amperage
The strength or intensity of an electric current, measured in Amperes (AMPS).
Arc
A discharge of electricity through air or gas.
Atom
Basic building block of matter. Major Atom particles are the electron, proton and neutron.
Ballast
A Ballast is used to stabilized the current flow in lamps.
Bank
A group of electrical devices, usually transformers or capacitors, connected in a way to increase capacity.
Battery
A DC voltage source containing a combination of cells, connected to produce higher voltage or current than a single cell produces alone.
Blackout
The complete interrupting of load to an electric utility customer or group of customers.
Boost
A charge applied to a battery which is already near state of full charge.
Brownout
Refers to a reduction of voltage on the system. This will dim the lights. Some systems will use a “Brownout” as a means to conserve energy.
Candela
The standard unit for luminous intensity.
Candela
Luminous intensity expressed in candelas.
Candlepower
Luminous intensity expressed in candelas.
Cell
An electrochemical device composed of positive and negative plates, separator and electrolyte which is capable of storing electrical energy.
Charge
The conversion of electrical energy from an external source, into chemical energy within a cell or battery.
Circuit
A conductive path over which an electric charge may flow.
Circuit Breaker
A device that can be used to manually open or close a circuit.
Color Rendition
The Color Rendition (or CRI) rate the ability of the bulb to render an object’s true color when compared to sunlight. Look for lamps with a CRI of 80 or higher.
Color Temperature or CCT
CCT refers to the color objects emit when heated to a certain temperature on Kelvin. Lower numbers are reddish and higher numbers are blue and white. Incandescent lighting has a CCT of 2700.
Compact Fluorescent Lights
A low pressure mercury lamp. These lights use much less energy than regular light bulbs.
Conductivity
Conductivity is the capability of a conductor to carry electricity.
Conductor
A conductor is a wire or grouping of wires that carry electrical current. A conductor may also be any material which allows for the flow of electrons.
Continuity
The state of being unbroken.
Continuous Load
An electrical load with a maximum current that is expected to maintain for three hours or more.
Coxial Cable
Known usually as Coax, this cable is typically used to connect televisions to the video source.
Cradle
The metal frame that surrounds and protects the generator or engine.
Current
The flow rate of electricity: the movement of electrons through a conductor. Current is measured in Amperes.
Diode
A Diode is a two terminal electronic component that conducts electric current in one direction.
Direct Current
Direct Current (DC) is the opposite of alternating current. Electrons flow in one direction only.
Disconnect Switch
Said simply, a switch which is used to disconnect the electrical circuit.
Distribution System
The electrical power system that distributes power from a bulk power location to consumers.
Electrical Grid
A large area system of electrical distribution.
Electricity
The flow of electrons through a distribution medium.
Electron
The negatively charged particle in an atom orbiting the atom’s nucleus.
Fixture
A fixture is relates to fixed lighting on walls, ceilings, etc.
Frequency
This is the rate that Current will change direction in an AC system. Frequency is measured in Hertz.
Fuse
A Fuse is used to protect equipment from over-current and damage. A Fuse is a mechanism that is installed in the conductive path with a set melting point.
Generator
An engine which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. AC or DC current.
Ground
A connection between an electrical circuit and the earth.
Grounded Conductor
A system of circuit that is intentionally grounded. This wire will be gray or white in color.
Hertz
A measurement of energy. One Hertz is equal to one cycle per second.
Horsepower
The measurement of work. One Horsepower is equivalent to 746 Watts.
Hot
The term Hot refers to an energized conductor such as a wire.
Idle Control
An Idle Control controls the idle speed of an engine in direct relation to the electrical energy.
Incandescent Lamp
The most common source of light, glass bulbs with a filament inside. Approximately ninety percent of the energy consumed by an incandescent lamp is given off as heat rather than light.
International System of Units
Also known as SI. This is a system of units that these six measurements are considered basic: meter, kilogram, second, ampere, Kelvin degree and candela.
Interruption
The loss of electric service to one or more customers and facilities.
Ion
An Ion is part of a molecule that can be positively or negatively charged which transports electricity.
Joule
A Joule is the energy exerted by the force of one newtron acting to move an object one meter. Also known as a one watt-second.
Junction Box
A Junction Box is used to conceal and protect the integrity of the electrical connection.
Kilowatt
1000 watts of real power. Kilowatt is also expressed as kW.
Lag
When a current is delayed in time with respect to voltage in an AC load.
Lamp
The term lamp refers to the source of light itself. Not the fixture.
LED
Light Emitting Diode.
Light
Energy that is capable of producing a visual sensation.
Lightning
Lightning is a powerful natural electrostatic discharge usually produced during a lightning storm.
Load
The total amount of electricity that is in an electrical circuit.
Lumen
A standard unit of measurement for light energy. Lumens are how light output is measured.
Lumen
A lumen is the total amount of light emitted from a source. Lumens are used to rate lamp output.
Luminaire
A complete lighting unit.
Metal Halide Lamp
A Metal Halide Lamp operates under high pressure and temperature. These lamps operate by combining Mercurey Vapor with rare earth metal salts. These lamps are compact, powerful and efficient making them perfect for use at baseball fields.
Neutral Conductor
The Neutral is used to carry unbalanced current in multiphase circuits. In single phase systems the conductor is used for a return current path.
Nuclear Energy
Energy that comes from splitting atoms of radioactive materials, such as uranium.
Nuclear Reactor
A nuclear reactor is a device where nuclear chain reactions are initiated, controlled and sustained at a steady rate.
Ohm
A unit of electrical resistance. One Ohm equals one volt per ampere.
Overload
A load greater than the load for which the system or mechanism was intended. A fault, such as a short circuit or ground fault is not an overload.
Polarity
The flow of electrons from the negative pole to the pole.
Power
The rate at which energy is released or consumed. Power is expressed in watts.
Radiation
The emission and propagation of energy by means of electromagnetic waves or particles.
Regulator
A device that is used to control the voltage of a circuit by raising and lowering it.
Relay
An electrically operated switch used in control circuits and whose contacts are low amperage.
Resistance
Resistance opposes current flow and is expressed in ohms.
Rotor
The rotating element of a generator.
Schematic Design
A diagram which shows electrical connections by means of graphic symbols.
Service Drop
Run of cables from the power company’s aerial power lines to the point of connection to the building’s service entrance conductors (meter).
Service Entrance Cable
This cable connects the service drop to the service equipment of the building.
Short Circuit
A load that occurs when at ungrounded conductor comes into contact with another conductor or grounded object.
Single Phase
The distribution of alternating current using a system that all voltage of the supply varies in unison.
Solar Energy
Energy from the sun.
Thermal Mass
Materials that store heat within a sunspace or solar collector.
Three Phase
Multiple phase power supply or load that uses three wires.
Transducer
A device for converting an electrical signal into a usable current or voltage.
Transformer
A transformer reduces voltage from the supply lines enough for connection to residences and businesses.
Vibration Mount
A rubber device located between the engine and the cradle to minimize vibration.
Volt
A unit of electromagnetic force. The force or push given the electrons in an electric circuit.
Voltage
Electrical potential difference expressed in volts.
Voltage Relay
Protective Relay is used on power systems that will detect when the line voltage has gone outside of an acceptable range.
Watt
Unit of electrical power. It measures the rate of energy conversion.