The Basics of Electricity
Electricity: A form of energy that produces physical, magnetic, chemical, or thermal effects when in motion. the movement of electrons from one atom to another along a conductor
Electric current: Flow of electricity along a conductor
Conductor: Any material that conducts electricity
Nonconductor: Also known as insulator; a material that does not transmit electricity.
Electric Wire: consist of fine twisted metal threads coovered with silk, plastic, or rubber coating
Types of Currents
Direct current: Abbreviated DC; constant, even-flowing current that travels in one direction only and is produced by chemical means.
Alternating: Abbreviated AC; rapid and interrupted current, flowing first in one direction and then in opposite direction; produced by mechanical means and changes direction 60 times per second
Converter: an apparatus that changes DC to AC.
rectifier: an apparatus found within a power supply or adapter that converts AC to DC.
Electrical Measurements
Voltage or Volt: Abbreviated V, unit that measures the pressure or force that pushes electric current forward through a conductor.
ampere or AMP: Abbreviation A, Unit that measures the strength of an electric current.
Milliampere: Abbreviation mA; 1/1000 of an ampere
OHM: Abbreviated O; unit that measures the resistance of an electric current
Watt: Abbreviated W; unit that measures how much electric energy is being used in one second
Kilowatt: Abbreviated kw; 1,000 watts
Safety devices
Fuse: Prevents excessive current from passing through a circuit
Circuit Breaker: Switch that automatically interrupts or shuts off an electric circuit at the first indication of overload
Grounding: Completes an electric circuit and carries current safely away