Basic Electronics Terms and Definitions

The following is a list of many of the terms one would encounter in the study of basic
electronics. The terms are defined in their electronics context.

Alternating Current (ac) Current from a power source that changes polarity periodically.

Alternator A device that supplies alternating current.

American wire gauge (AWG) A standard for wire sizes, with the smallest being designated as
forty (40) and the largest as four aught (4/0).

Ammeter An instrument used for measuring current.

Ampacity The current–carrying capacity of conductors in amperes.

Amperage (A) The amount of electric current in amperes.

Ampere (A) The unit of measurement for current. One ampere is that current whereby one
coulomb of charge passes through a point in one second. Named for André Ampere.

Ampere-hour (Ah) Unit of measurement for cell or battery capacity. One Ah generally means
that a current of one amp has been flowing for one hour.

Amplifier An electronic circuit that boost the voltage and/or the current level of a signal.

Analog Generally refers to signals that have many discrete values versus digital binary signal
that have only two states. Also, refers to the branch of electronics dealing with such signals and
their circuits. The term linear is another term often used for such circuits and signals.

Analog-to-digital converter (A/D) A circuit or devise used to convert an analog signal to a

digital form.

AND gate or logic Generates a logic 1 only if all of its two or more inputs are 1.

Apparent power The product of voltage times current in a circuit containing reactances and
measured in volt-amps.

Armature The moving part of a motor or generator.

Autotransformer A power transformer having one continuous winding that is tapped.

Ballast A device used to provide starting current for certain types of lamps (fluorescent).

Battery A direct-current power source consisting of two or more cells.

Binary In electronics, a number system that has two as its base; therefore any position has only
two possible values, 0 or 1. A signal that has only two possible states at any instance.

Bipolar junction transistor (BJT) A transistor type having two PN junctions, configured as
NPN or PNP. May be used as an amplifier or switch.

Bit A single binary digit, can be either a 0 or 1.

Bridge See Wheatstone bridge

Brush A conductive block used to make sliding contact with an armature.

Byte A group of eight binary bits, commonly used to represent digital data.

Cable A stranded conductor or group of individual conductors insulated from each other.

Capacitance (C) The ability of

two conductors separated by an
insulator to store an electrical
charge; measured in farads (F).

Capacitive reactance (XC) The

opposition that a capacitor offers
to alternating current. This
opposition, in the form of a counter
electromotive force (cemf),is
expressed in ohms.

Capacitor A device designed to

provide a specific amount of
capacitance.

Cell A device that transforms one form of energy into electrical energy. An example would
be a chemical dry cell commonly used in flashlights (D, C, AA, AAA) and other electric devices.
These are often referred to as batteries.

Central processing unit (CPU) The part of a computer that performs the arithmetic, logic, and
control functions.

Circuit An arrangement or connection of circuit devices and components to perform a

specific objective. In the simplest form it would require an energy source, a load to transform
the energy into the desired task, and conductors to connect the source to the load. In most
applications a control device (switch) would be included and may also include a protective
device. Common example of a simple circuit would be a flashlight.
Circuit breaker A circuit protection device that opens the circuit automatically when an
overload or short circuit occurs.

Closed circuit A circuit that provides a complete path for current.

Coil A wound spiral of two or more turns of insulated wire, used to introduce inductance into
a circuit, produce a magnetic field from current flow, or to respond to a changing magnetic field
by producing a voltage or mechanical motion.

Component/s In electronics, a general term to refer to a part or parts of a circuit without

reference to specific names.

Commutator A cylindrical arrangement of insulated metal bars connected to the armature

coils of a direct-current electric motor or generator, providing a unidirectional current from the
generator or a reversal of current into the coils of the motor.

Conductance (G) The ability of a conductor to allow the flow of electrons. Measured in
Siemens (S). The reciprocal of resistance.

Conductor A low-resistance material to provide a path for current. Used to interconnect

components in a circuit.

Conventional current A direction flow assignment that has current flowing from positive to
negative.

Coulomb Base unit of electrical charge equal to 6.25 X 1018 electrons. Named for Charles
Coulomb, the French physicist who pioneered research into magnetism and electricity. He also
formulated Coulomb's law which states that the force of attraction or repulsion between two
charged bodies is equal to the product of the two charges and is inversely proportional to the
square of the distance between them. F= Q1 x Q2/d2

Crystal A natural or synthetic crystalline material having piezoelectric properties. As a

transducer, used to convert dynamic pressures (vibrations) to ac electricity or change ac
electricity into vibrations.

Current (I) The rate of flow of electrons through a conductor or component; measured in
amperes. The symbol (I) stands for intensity of the electron flow.

Cycle One complete wave of alternating voltage or current.

Dielectric A nonconductor of electricity. An insulator that is capable of concentrating electric

fields.

Difference of potential See electromotive force and voltage.

Digital Generally in electronics, refers to signals, devices, or circuits that are binary, meaning
they only have two states (high or low, 1 or 0, on or off). The branch of electronics dealing with
such signals and their circuits.

Digital-to-analog converter (D/A) A circuit that converts a binary signal to an equivalent

analog form.

Diode A semiconductor device that only allows current to pass through it in one direction,
cathode to anode. Also, a classification of semiconductor devices having only one junction.
Examples include: rectifier, zener, varactor, and tunnel diodes.

Direct Current (dc) Current from a power source that continually flows in the same
direction. An electrical source of constant polarity.

Duty Cycle The ratio of pulse width to period, indicates the percentage of time a pulse is
present during a cycle.

Electricity The physical phenomena arising from the behavior of electrons and protons that is
caused by the attraction of particles with opposite charges and the repulsion of particles with the
same charge. The physical science of such phenomena. Also, electric current used or regarded
as a source of power.

Electric energy The energy carried by free electrons from a source to a load. Also, the
potential energy of a stationary charge.

Electric power (P) The rate at which energy is consumed in a circuit or load. Measured in
watts (W).

Electrolyte A chemical solution used in cells and some capacitors to produce an electrically
conductive medium.

Electrolytic capacitor A capacitor whose dielectric is formed through the reaction of an

electrolyte and its electrodes.

Electromagnet A device that produces a magnetic field as the result of current flow through a
coil of wire.

Electromechanical A classification of actions or devices whereby a mechanical action is

caused by the forces of attraction or repulsion created when current flow generates magnetic
fields (electromagnetic).

Electromotive Force (emf) The force or electrical pressure that has the potential to cause
electron flow in a circuit. Also called voltage, potential difference or difference of potential.
Measured in volts (V).

Electrostatic field An electric field produced by stationary charges.

Farad (F) The basic unit of measurement for capacitance. One farad is that capacitance that
will store one coulomb of charge when the charging force is one volt. Since the farad is a very
large unit, capacitance will more commonly be expressed as microfarad (uF) or picofarad (pF)
values. Named for Michael Farady, the British physicist and chemist who discovered
electromagnetic induction and proposed the field theory later developed by Maxwell and
Einstein.

Field Effect Transistor (FET) A transistor type that uses voltage to control current through
the device. See JFET and MOSFET.

Filter A circuit designed to pass a specific frequency range while rejecting all others.

Flux Generally refers to a magnetic line of force but may also describe an electric line of force.

Frequency The number of cycles per second for a periodic waveform. Measured in hertz
(Hz).

Fuse A protective device designed to interrupt current flow (open) through a circuit when
current exceeds a rated value.

Gate A logic circuit performing a specific logic function. See AND, OR, NAND, OR and
NOT.

Gauss A unit of measurement for magnetic field.

Generator A device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy.

Ground The common return path for current in an electrical circuit. Serves as a reference
point for measuring all other potentials in a circuit. Generally assumed to be at zero potential
with respect to the earth. Other than earth references may be used such as the chassis of an
automobile (chassis ground) or some arbitrary point in a circuit (circuit ground) like the negative
side of the power source.

Heat sink A device attached to a component to aid in the dissipation of heat.

Henry (H) The unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is
produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second. Named forJoseph
Henry, an American physicist who performed extensive studies of electromagnetic phenomena.

Hertz (Hz) A unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second. Named for Heinrich Hertz, a
German physicist who was the first to produce radio waves artificially.

Impedance (Z) Opposition to current flow from the combined effects of resistance and
reactance measured in ohms (S).
Inductance (L) The property of a circuit that opposes a change in current. Also, the property
of a circuit to store energy in the form of a magnetic field and release it back into the circuit at a
later time.

Inductive Reactance (XL) The opposition that an inductor offers to alternating current. This
opposition, in the form of a counter electromotive force (cemf), is expressed in ohms.

Inductor An electrical device designed to provide a specific amount of inductance; measured

in henrys (H).

Insulation Nonconductive material used to cover wires and components to prevent shock and
short circuits.

Insulator A material that has a high resistance to current flow.

Integrated Circuit (IC) The placement of numerous components and circuits on to a silicon
chip.

Internal resistance The resistance within a power source.

Inverter A logic devise (NOT function) whose output is always opposite the input. Also
refers to a devise that converts dc to ac.

Junction Field Effect Transistor (JFET) A transistor type made by diffusing a gate region
into a channel region. Voltage applied to the gate controls current in the channel by either
depleting or enhancing the channel.

Joule The basic unit of electrical, mechanical, and thermal energy. As a unit of electrical
energy it is equal to the energy carried by 1 coulomb of charge being propelled by an
electromotive force of 1 volt. Named for James Joule, the British physicist who established the
mechanical theory of heat and discovered the first law of thermodynamics.

Kilo (k) Metric prefix for units of measurement equal to thousands (1000 or 103). As an
example: 1 kilohertz (kHz) equals 1000hz.

Kilowatthour (kWh) Unit of energy consumption equal to 1000 watt-hours or the energy
consumed at the rate to one kilowatt (kW) for a time of one hour. Equivalent to 3,600,000
joules. Generally used to specify a large energy consumption over a specific time interval.
Residential energy is usually priced at the number of kilowatt-hours used for a month.

Kirchhoff, Gustav Robert The German physicist noted for his research in spectrum
analysis, optics, and electricity. Developed fundamental DC circuit laws dealing with current
characteristics in a parallel circuit and voltage characteristics in a series circuit. His current
law states that the current entering a connection has to equal the current leaving that connection,
and that the sum of the load currents has to equal the source current (or sum of source currents
for multiple parallel sources) (IT = I1+I2+------+IN). His voltage law states that around any closed
loop of series connected components, the sum of the voltage drops must equal the source voltage
(or sum of source voltages for multiple series connected sources. (VT = V1+V2+ ------ +VN).

Lamp A light producing device consisting of a filament placed in a vacuum.

Law of magnetic poles Like poles repel, unlike poles attract.

Liquid crystal display (LCD) A display type using changes in reflectivity to generate
various characters.

Lenz’s Law Basic law of electromagnetic induction which states that an induced voltage will
have a polarity that opposes the current change that produced it.

Light-emitting diode (LED) A semiconductor diode that emits light as current flows from the
cathode to the anode across its PN junction.

Linear A circuit or component where the output is a straight line (direct proportion) function
of the input.

Load A device or apparatus that uses the energy of a circuit to perform work. May also refer
to the power used by a device, machine, or a combination of many.

Magnet An object which produces a magnetic field in the surrounding space.

Magnetic field The detectable magnetic flux issuing from a magnet or electromagnet.

Magnetic poles The two points of strongest concentration of magnetic flux around a magnet
or electromagnet. By assignment the flux leaves the north pole and returns to thesouth pole.

Magnetic saturation The point where an increase in magnetic force produces no further
magnetic effect in a magnetic material. The material can have no further increase in flux. Iron,
nickel, cobalt, and their alloys are considered to be magnetic materials.

Magnetism The physical phenomena exhibited by magnets and electric current flow that is
represented by lines of force.

Mega (M) Prefix for units of measurement equal to millions (1,000,000 or 106).

Memory The part of a computing device where data and instructions are stored.

See RAM and ROM.

Metal oxide field-effect transistor (MOSFET) Also called insulated gate field effect
transistor (IGFET). A transistor type that uses an electric field to control conduction.

Micro (u) Prefix for units of measurement equal to millionths (1/1,000,000 or 10-6).
Microprocessor A CPU that is manufactured on a single integrated-circuit (IC) chip.

Milli (m) Prefix for units of measurement equal to thousandths (1/1000 or 10-3).

Modem Abbreviation for modulator-demodulator. A device that converts data from one form
into another, as from one form usable in data processing to another form usable in telephonic
transmission.

Multimeter An instrument that can measure current, voltage, and resistance on various
ranges. Many multimeters can measure other circuit values such as frequency and capacitance.
May have digital (DMM) or analog displays (VOM).

NAND gate or logic Stands for NOT-AND. Gives an inverted output of AND logic.

Negative For sources, implies the terminal that has an excess of electrons. Also, can imply the
polarity of a point in a circuit in respect to some other point.

Nonlinear A circuit or component whose output versus input graph is not a straight line.

NOR gate or logic Stands for NOT-OR. Gives an inverted output of OR logic.

North-seeking pole That pole of a magnetic which points to the earth’s north pole when free
to turn.

Norton’s theorem A method of reducing a complex network of bilateral (conducts equally

well in both directions) components to one current source and one shunt resistance across the
load terminals.

Ohm (S) The unit of measurement for resistance. Named for Georg Simon Ohm,
the German physicist noted for his contributions to mathematics, acoustics, and the
measurement of electrical resistance. One ohm is that resistance that limits the current to one
ampere when a potential of one volt exist across its terminals.

Ohm’s law Very basic circuit law that defines the relationships between current, voltage, and
resistance in a DC circuit. Ohm’s law states that current is directly proportional to voltage and
inversely proportional to resistance. (I = V/R) The other forms of the formula are V = IR and R
= V/I.

Ohmmeter An instrument for measuring resistance.

Operational Amplifier (Op Amp) A highly stable direct coupled amplifier resistant to
oscillation. May be packaged in an IC format.

OR gate or logic Generates a logic 1 if any one of its two or more inputs are 1.
Oscillator A circuit that converts dc power into ac signals with constant frequency. Also, an
instrument that generates ac signals whose frequency and amplitude can be varied. These are
also referred to as signal generators.

Oscilloscope An instrument that displays a plot of voltage over time. Often referred to as a
scope.

Overload A load in excess of the design limit for a circuit.

Parallel circuit A circuit with two or more loads (or sources) connected such that all have the
same voltage but different currents. Each load can be operated independent of the others.
Parallel sources should have equal voltage ratings.

Period The time in seconds that is required to complete one cycle of a waveform.

Permeability The ability of a magnetic material to conduct magnetic lines of force.

Phase A time relationship between two electrical quantities.

Polarity For electrical charge, the indication of a charge as either positive (+) or negative (-).
Voltage at a point would be indicated as being either positive or negative with respect to some
other point. For magnetic poles, the indication as either north or south.

Positive For sources, implies the terminal that has a deficiency of free electrons. Also, can
imply the polarity of a point in a circuit in respect to some other point.

Potentiometer A three-terminal resistor with an adjustable center connection generally used

to control voltage; widely used for volume control in radio and television receivers. In this
sense, also called a Pot.

Power The rate at which energy is consumed. In electronics it refers to the consumption of
electrical energy in joules over time; measured in watts.

Power factor(PF) The ratio of true power to the apparent power in a circuit, especially those
that are not purely resistive. It is also equal to the cosine of the phase angle for the circuit.

Power supply Generally, a device or circuit used to convert alternating current (ac) of specific
voltage to one or more direct current (dc) values of specific voltage and current ratings. May
have variable voltage ability in some instances. May also refer to a device that converts a
specific dc value to another dc value (dc to dc converter).

Primary cell A device that uses up its ingredients to convert chemical energy to electrical
energy and therefore can not be recharged.

Primary winding The input winding to a transformer.

Printed circuit (PC) board A fiberglass board with copper foil as the conductors to
interconnect the attached electrical components.

Random-access memory (RAM) A read/write memory that allows date storage (Write) and
data retrieval (Read) to any location in any order. Considered to be temporary (volatile) in that
the contents are lost if power is turned off.

Reactance Opposition to current offered by capacitors and inductors in the form of a counter-
electromotive force (cemf), but expressed in ohms. Reactance does not consume power but
gives the appearance that it does.

Read only memory (ROM) A classification of non-volatile memory that has its contents built
in at time of manufacturer and which cannot be changed and cannot be lost if power is turned
off. Variations include Programmable (PROM) and Erasable Programmable (EPROM) which
has provisions for user programming.

Rectifier A solid state device that converts alternating current to pulsed direct current.

Relay An electromechanical device that uses electromagnetism to mechanically switch

electrical circuits. The output contacts are designed to be either normally open (NO) or normally
closed (NC). Some relays provide both arrangements and multiple switches.

Resistance (R) The opposition to current flow in a circuit; measured in ohms.

Resistor An electrical component designed to provide a specific resistance. Available in

many formats such as fixed, tapped, and variable. See potentiometer and rheostat.

Resonance A circuit condition when the inductive reactance (XL) equals the capacitive
reactance (XC). A resonant circuit is one that has been tuned to that condition and resonant
frequency is that frequency that resonance occurs in a circuit and provides a maximum output
for one of its circuit variables.

Rheostat A two-terminal resistor with an adjustable center connection and one end
connection generally used to control current.

Ripple The small amount of ac voltage that still remains in the output of a dc power supply.

RMS Root mean square The value of an ac sine wave that indicates its equivalent dc value
for producing heat. Also called the effective value, it is equal to 70.7% of the maximum value
(peak value) for the waveform.

Schematic or schematic diagram A drawing dipicting how the components are connected
using standarized symbols.

Secondary cell A device whose ingredients convert chemical energy to electrical energy but
can be recharged.
Secondary winding The output winding of a transformer or one of several output windings.

Series circuit A circuit arrangement of two or more loads (or sources) connected end-to-end
only allowing for one current path. Therefore, all components have the same current but can
have different voltage. An open at any point or in any component interrupts current flow for all.

Semiconductor Any of various solid crystalline substances, such as germanium or silicon,

having electrical conductivity greater than insulators but less than good conductors. In
electronics these are generally doped to from either N type or P type material. These materials
are the foundational material for diodes and transistors.

Short circuit An undesirable low resistance path between two points in a circuit.

Siemen (S) The unit of measurement for conductance. Named for Ernst Werner
von Siemens, a German engineer who made notable improvements to telegraphic and electrical
apparatus.

Silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) See thyristor

Sine wave A waveform whose instantanous amplitude is a function of the sine of the angle of
rotation for that instant. The output waveform produced by rotating a loop in a magnetic field,
and the output of an oscillator generating a pure frequency.

Solar cell A device that converts light energy to electrical energy. Also called a photovoltaic
cell.

Solder Any of various fusible alloys, usually tin and lead, used to join metallic parts. In
electronics used to connect components to PC boards or to aid the conductivity and mechanical
junctions of connections and splices.

Solenoid Electromechanical device that use electromagnetism to produce a mechanical

operation.

Solid-state The term that describes components or circuits that use semiconductors
technology.

Source General term to describe devices that provides electrical energy at their output
terminals to operate a circuit. Examples: battery, solar cell, generator and alternator, or power
supply.

Static electricity A stationary electrical charge on an object.

Stator The electromagnetic part of a motor or generator that does not rotate.

Stepper motor A motor type driven with digital codes that moves in discrete angular
increments with each code change.
Superposition theorem A method for analyzing a complex network of bilateral (conducts
equally well in both directions) components having multiple sources.

Surge A very rapid increase of current or voltage.

Switch A device used to open (turn off) and close (turn on) electrical circuits that can be
designed to operated by numerous actions such as toggle, slide, and pushbutton actions.
Standard configurations include SPST, SPDT, DPST, and DPDT.

Terminal A connection point for electrical components or conductors.

Thermistor A resistor made of semiconductor material having resistance that varies rapidly
and predictably with temperature. Used as a temperature sensor, the resistance varies inversely
with temperature.

Thermocouple A thermoelectric device used to measure temperatures accurately, consist of

two dissimilar metals joined so that a potential difference is generated that is representative of
the temperature of the junction.

Thevenin’s theorem A method of reducing a complex network of bilateral (conducts equally

well in both directions) components to one voltage source and one resistor in series with the load
terminals.

Thyristor A broad classification of semiconductor devices used as electronic switches.

Examples include diacs, SCRs, and triacs.

Tolerance Used to describe the allowable variance in a measurement or a components value.

Transducer A device used to convert input energy of one form into output energy of another.

Transformer A device used to transfer electric energy from one circuit to another, especially
a pair of multiply wound, inductively coupled wire coils that effect such a transfer with a change
in voltage, current, phase, or other electric characteristic. Generally used to convert one voltage-
current relationship to another. Step-up transformer, increase the voltage while decreasing the
current, and step-down transformer decrease the voltage while increasing the current.

Transistor A small electronic semiconductor device having at least three electrical contacts,
used in a circuit as an amplifier or a switch. See: BJT, JFET, MOSFET.

True power The actual power consumed by a circuit; measured in watts.

Volt (V) The unit by which an electromotive force or voltage is measured. Named
for Alessandro Volta, the Italian physicist who invented the first electric battery (1800).

Voltage (V) Same as emf. The force or electrical pressure that has the potential to cause
electron flow in a circuit.
Voltage divider A series circuit that divides voltage.

Voltage drop The difference in potential between two points caused by current flow through
a component.

Voltmeter An instrument used to measure voltage.

Watt (W) The unit of measurement for power. One watt equals to the work done when one
joule is used per second. Named for James Watt the British engineer and inventor.

Watt-hour (Wh) Unit of energy consumed at the rate of one watt (W) for a time of one hour.
Equivalent to 3,600 joules.

Wheatstone Bridge An instrument or a circuit consisting of four resistors or their equivalent

in a series-parallel arrangement, used to determine the value of an unknown resistance when the
other three resistances are known.

Wiring diagram A graphic representation of how circuit components are connected.

Zener Diode A semiconductor device designed to operate at a fixed voltage as a voltage

regulator.

Alternating currents — The term alternating current refers to a current that reverses at regular
recurring intervals of time and that has alternately positive and negative values.

Alternating current (advantages) — As compared with DC, the advantage of AC is the

reduced cost of transmission by use of high voltage transformers.

Alternating currents (disadvantages) — As compared with DC, the disadvantages of AC are:

The high voltage which renders it dangerous and requires more efficient insulation; alternating
current cannot be used for such purposes as electroplating, charging storage batteries, etc.

Alternating current (effects) — There are several effects of the AC to consider in determining
the size of wires. Accordingly, allowance must be made for: Self induction, mutual induction,
power factor, skin effect, eddy currents, frequency, resistance, electric hysteresis, etc..

Ammeter Measures the current flow in amperes in a circuit. An ammeter is

connected in series in the circuit.

Ampere The practical unit of electric current flow. If a one ohm resistance is
connected to a one volt source, one ampere will flow.
Anode The positive pole of a battery, or preferably the path by which the current passes out and
enters the electrolyte on its way to the other pole;
opposed to the cathode.

Branch Circuit —The circuit conductors between the final over current device
protecting the circuit and the outlet(s).

Calorie The French heat unit.

Capacitance Measure, in farads, or the opposition to voltage changes in an AC circuit, causing

voltage to lag behind current; exhibited by condensers, two conductors separated by a
nonconductor.

Capacitive Reactance The effect of capacitance in opposing the flow of alternating or pulsating
current.

Capacitor A device used to boost the voltage to a motor. Running capacitors are used in starting
winding to increase the running torque of the motor Starting capacitors are used in the starting
winding to increase the starting torque of the motor. Two electrodes or sets of electrodes in the
form of plates, separated from each other by an insulating material called the dielectric.

Circuit — A complete path over which an electric current can flow.

Circuit Breaker — A device designed to open and close a circuit by non automatic means and
to open the circuit automatically on a predetermined over current without injury to itself when
properly applied within its rating. Circuit breakers can be reset.

Circuit (Series) — A circuit supplying energy to a number of devices connected in series. The
same current passes through each device in completing its path to the source of supply.

Close Circuit — A circuit permitting a continuous current.

Coil — An assemblage of successive convolutions of a conductor. A unit of a winding consisting

of one or more insulated conductors connected in series and surrounded by common insulation,
and arranged to link or produce magnetic flux.

Conductance — The measure of ease with which a substance conducts electricity, measured in
ohms. It is the opposite of resistance and is expressed in mhos.
Conductor — An electrical path which offers comparatively little resistance. A wire or
combination of wires not insulated from one another, suitable for
carrying a single electric current. Bus bars are also conductors. Conductors may be classed with
respect to their conducting power as; (a) good; silver, copper, aluminum, zinc, brass, platinum,
iron, nickel, tin, lead; (b) fair; charcoal and coke, carbon, plumb ago, acid solutions, sea water,
saline solutions, metallic ores, living vegetable substances, moist earth; (c) partial; water, the
body, flame, linen, cotton, mahogany, pine, rosewood, lignum vitae, teak, and marble.

Coulomb — A unit of electrical charge; the quantity of electricity passing in one second through
a circuit in which the rate of flow is one ampere.

Cross — Any accidental contact between electric wires or conductors.

Current — The movement of electrons through a conductor; measured in amperes,

milliamperes, and microamperes.

Cycle — A complete reversal of alternating current, passing through a complete set of changes
or motions in opposite directions, from a rise to maximum, return to zero, rise to maximum in the
other direction, and another return to zero. One complete positive and one complete negative
alternation of current or voltage.

Dead — Free from any electric connection to a source of potential difference and from electric
charge. The term is used only with reference to current carrying parts that are sometimes alive.

Deci — A Latin prefix often used with a physical unit to designate a quantity one-tenth of that
unit.

Decibel — Technically a measure of relative power levels. (b) A measure of the loudness of a
bell, siren, horn, or other noise. (c) The strength of an audio signal.

Deflection — The distance or angle by which one line departs from another.

Diagram — A skeleton geometrical drawing, illustrating the principles of application of a

mechanism.

Diode — A two electrode electron tube containing an anode and a cathode. Diodes are used as
rectifiers and detectors.

Direct Current — A unidirectional current. It may be constant or periodically fluctuating, as

rectified alternating current.
Dissipation — Loss of electric energy as heat.

Drop — The voltage drop developed across a resistor due to current flowing through it.

E — Symbol for voltage.

Earth — The ground considered as a medium for completing an electric circuit.

Electrical Horsepower — 746 watts.

Electrical Units — In the practical system, electrical units comprise the volt, the
ampere, the ohm, the watt, the watt-hour, the coulomb, the henry, the mho, the joule, and the
farad.

Electric Circuit — The path (whether metallic or nonmetallic) of an electric current.

Electrician — A person who is versed in the knowledge of electricity.

Electricity — The name is given to an invisible agent known only by its effects and
manifestations, as shown in electrical phenomena. Electricity, no matter how produced is
believed to be one and the same thing.

Electrocution — The destruction of life by means of electric current.

Electromagnet — A magnet produced by passing an electric current through and insulated wire
conductor coiled around a core of soft iron, as in the fields of a dynamo or motor.

Electromotive Force (EMF) — An energy-charge relation that results in electric pressure

(voltage), which produces or tends to produce charge flow.

Electron — The smallest charge of negative electricity known.

Energy Efficiency — The efficiency of an electric machine measured in watt hours or kilowatt
hours; the watt hour efficiency.

Farad — Practical unit of electrostatic capacity in the electromagnetic system. A

condenser is said to have a capacity of one farad if it will absorb one coulomb ( that is, one
ampere per second), of electricity when subjected to a pressure of one volt. The unit of
capacitance.
Faraday Effect — A discovery made by Faraday that a wave of light polarized in a certain plane
can be turned about by the influence of a magnet so that the vibrations occur in a different plane.

Fathom — A measure of length equal to six feet, used chiefly in taking soundings, measuring
cordage, etc.

Fiber Optics — Piping light is the science that deals with the transmission of light
through extremely thin fibers of glass, plastic, or other transparent material.

Fluorescence — That property by virtue of which certain solids and fluids become luminous
under the influence of radiant energy.

Force — An elementary physical cause capable of modifying the motion of a mass.

Formula — A prescribed form, principle, or rule expressed in mathematical terms, chemical

symbols, etc.

Formulae — A rule or principle expressed in algebraic language.

Frequency — The number of periods occurring in the unit of time periodic process, such as in
the flow of electric charge. The number of complete cycles per second existing in any form of
wave motion; such as the number of cycles per second of an alternating current.

Fuse — A strip of wire or metal inserted in series with a circuit which, when it carries an excess
of current over its rated capacity, will burn out. Also called a cutout.

Galvanometer — A current indicator. It consists of a magnetic needle suspended within a coil

of wire and free to swing over the face of a graduated dial. The movement of the needle shows
the direction of the current and indicates whether it is a strong or weak one. There are numerous
types of galvanometers such as; astatic, tangent, sine, differential, ballistic, and D’Arsonval.

Generator — A general name given to a machine for transforming mechanical energy into
electrical energy.

Ground — A conducting connection, whether intentional or accidental, between an electrical

circuit or equipment and the earth, or to some conducting body that serves in place of the earth.

Grounded — Connected to earth or to some conducting body that serves in place of the earth.
Heat (electric) — The heat produced in a conductor by the passage of an electric current through
it.

Horsepower (hp) — Unit used to express rate of work, or power. One horsepower=746 watts.
Work done at the rate of 33,000 foot pounds per minute or 550 foot pounds per second.

Impedance — The total opposition which a circuit offers the flow of alternating current at a
given frequency; combination of resistance and reactance, measured in ohms.

Induction — The process by which an electrical conductor becomes electrified when near a
charged body and becomes magnetized.

Input — The intake or energy absorbed by a machine during its operation, asdistinguished from
the output of useful energy delivered by it.

Insulator — A device for fastening and supporting a conductor. Glass and porcelain are
employed almost universally for supporting overhead wires.

Ion — An electrically charged atom or radical.

Jacobi’s Law — A law of electric motors which states that the maximum work of a motor is
performed when its counter electromotive force is equal to one half the electromotive force
expended on the motor.

Joint — The tying together of two single wire conductors so that the union will be good, both
mechanically and electrically.

Joule’s Law — The law first stated by Joule, that the quantity of heat developed in a conductor
by the passage of an electric current is proportional to the resistance of the conductor, to the
square of the strength of the current, and to the duration of the flow.

Kilovolt (kv) — A unit of pressure equal to one thousands volts.

Kilowatt — A unit of electrical power, equal to one thousands watts. Electric power is usually
expressed in kilowatts. As the watt is equal to 1/746 horsepower, the kilowatt or 1,000 watts =
1.34 hp. Careful distinction should be made between kilowatts and kilovolt amperes.

L — The symbol for inductance.

Leakage — The escape of electric current through defects in insulation or other causes.
Loss — Power expended without accomplishing useful work.

Made Circuit — A closed or completed circuit.

Mega-Volt — A unit of pressure equal to one million volts.

Meter — An electric indicating instrument as a voltmeter, ammeter, etc.

Negative The opposite of positive. A potential less than that of another potential or of the earth.
In electrical apparatus, the pole or direction toward which the current is suppose to flow.

Network — An electric circuit in which the parts are connected in some special manner and
cannot be classed as in series, in parallel, or in series-parallel.

Neutron — A proton and an electron in very close union existing in the nucleus. A particle
having the weight of a proton but carrying no electric charge. It is located in the nucleus of an
atom.

Ohm — The unit of electrical resistance. Resistance is one ohm when a DC voltage of one volt
will send a current of one ampere through.

Open Circuit — A circuit, the electrical continuity of which has been interrupted, as by opening
a switch.

Output — The current, voltage, power, or driving force delivered by a circuit or device.

P — Abbreviation for power.

Peak — The maximum instantaneous value of a varying voltage or current.

Peak Current — The maximum value of an alternating current.

Period — The time required for a complete cycle of alternating current or voltage; for 60 cycles
per second, a period would be 1/60 second.

Photoelectric — Descriptive of the effect which light has on electric circuits, through a device
controlled by light.

Positive — The term used to describe a terminal with fewer electrons than normal so that it
attracts electrons. Electrons flow into the positive terminals of a voltage source.
Power — The rate at which work is done; it is usually expressed as the number of foot pounds in
one minute, that is, if you lift 33,000 foot pounds in one minute, you have done 1 horsepower of
work.

Proton — The smallest quantity of electricity which can exist in the free state. A positive
charged particle in the nucleus of an atom.

Quick-Break — A switch or circuit breaker that has a high contact opening speed.

R — Symbol for resistance.

Reactance — Opposition offered to the flow of AC by the inductance or capacity of a part;

measured in ohms.

Recovery Voltage — The voltage impressed upon the fuse after a circuit is cleared.

Relay — An electromagnetic device which permits control of current in one circuit by a much
smaller current in another circuit.

Resistance — The opposition offered by a substance or body to the passage through it of an

electric current which converts electric energy into heat. Resistance is the reciprocal of
conductance.

Resistance Drop — The voltage drops in place with the current.

Resistor — An aggregation of one or more units possessing the property of electrical resistance.
Resistors are used in electric circuits for the purpose of operation, protection, or control.

Semiconductor — A name given to substances having only moderate power of transmitting

electricity, and which may be said in that respect to, stand midway between conductors and
insulators.

Series Circuit — A circuit supplying energy to a number of loads connected in series, that is,
the same current passes through each load in completing its path to the source of supply.

Series Parallel Circuit — An electric current containing groups of parallel connected receptive
devices, the groups being arranged in the circuit in series; a series multiple circuit.

Short Circuit — A fault in an electric circuit or apparatus due usually to imperfect insulation,
such that the current follows a by-path and inflicts damage or is wasted.
Solenoid — A spiral of conducting wire, would cylindrically so that when an electric current
passes through it, its turns are nearly equivalent to a succession of parallel circuits, and it
acquires magnetic properties similar to those of a bar magnet.

Spark — A discharge of electricity across a gap between two electrodes. The discharge is
accompanied by heat and incandescence. Distinguish between spark and arc.

Steady Current — An electric current of constant amperage.

Switch — A device for making, breaking, or changing the connections in an electric current.

Telsa Coil — A form of induction coil designed by Telsa for obtaining high voltages and
frequencies; it consists of a primary of a few turns of coarse wire and a secondary of fine wire,
both immersed in oil insulation; a Telsa transformer.

Transformer — An apparatus used for changing the voltage and current of an alternating
circuit. A transformer consists of primary winding, secondary winding, and an iron core. In
principle, if a current is passed through a coil of wire encircling a bar of soft iron, the iron will
become a magnet; when the current is is continued the bar loses its magnetization.

Transistor — An active semiconductor device with three or more terminals. Transistors turn on
instantly. They don’t require a warm-up time like a tube does. A transistor will last for years and
very little voltage is needed.

Unit of Current — The practical unit of current is the ampere, which is the current produced by
a pressure of one volt in a circuit having a resistance of one ohm.

Unit of Electric Work — The joule.

Unit of Pressure — The volt, or pressure which will produce a current of one ampere against a
resistance of one ohm.

Unit of Resistance — The ohm, which is the resistance that permits a flow of one ampere when
the impressed pressure is one volt.

V — Symbol for volt.

Volt — The practical unit of electric pressure. The pressure which will produce a current of one
ampere against a resistance of one ohm.
Voltage Drop — The drop of pressure in an electric circuit due to the resistance of the
conductor.

V-O-M meter — Volt-ohm-milliammeter, the troubleshooters” basic testing instrument.

W — Symbol for wattage.

Watt — The practical unit of power, being the amount of energy expended per second by an
unvarying current of one ampere under the pressure of one volt.

X — Symbol for reactance.

Y connection — This method of transformer connection consists in connecting both the

primaries and secondaries in star grouping.

Z — Symbol for impedance

Alternating Current (AC) — An electric current that reverses its direction many times a second
at regular intervals.

Ampere (A) — A unit of measure for the intensity of an electric current flowing in a circuit. One
ampere is equal to a current flow of one coulomb per second.

Apparent Power — Measured in volt-ampers (VA). Apparent power is the product of the rms
voltage and the rms current.

Capacitance — The ability of a body to store an electrical charge. Measured in farads as the
ratio of the electric charge of the object (Q, measured in coulombs) to the voltage across the
object (V, measured in volts).

Circuit — A closed path in which electrons from a voltage or current source flow. Circuits can
be in series, parallel, or in any combination of the two.

Circuit Breaker — An automatic device for stopping the flow of current in an electric circuit. To
restore service, the circuit breaker must be reset (closed) after correcting the cause of the
overload or failure.

Conductor — Any material where electric current can flow freely. Conductive materials, such
as metals, have a relatively low resistance. Copper and aluminum wire are the most common
conductors.

Current (I) — The flow of an electric charge through a conductor. An electric current can be
compared to the flow of water in a pipe. Measured in amperes.

Demand — The average value of power or related quantity over a specified period of time.
Diode — A semiconductor device with two terminals, typically allowing the flow of current in one
direction only. Diodes allow current to flow when the anode is positive in relation to the cathode.

Direct Current (DC) — An electric current that flows in only one direction.

Farad — A unit of measure for capacitance. One farad is equal to one coulomb per volt.

Frequency — The number of cycles per second. Measured in Hertz. If a current completes one
cycle per second, then the frequency is 1 Hz; 60 cycles per second equals 60 Hz.

Fuse — A circuit interrupting device consisting of a strip of wire that melts and breaks an
electric circuit if the current exceeds a safe level. To restore service, the fuse must be replaced
using a similar fuse with the same size and rating after correcting the cause of failure.

Ground — The reference point in an electrical circuit from which voltages are measured, a
common return path for electric current, or a direct physical connection to the Earth.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI) — A device intended for the protection of personnel
that functions to de-energize a circuit or portion thereof within an established period of time
when a current to ground exceeds some predetermined value that is less than that required to
operate the overcurrent protective device of the supply circuit.

Henry — A unit of measure for inductance. If the rate of change of current in a circuit is one
ampere per second and the resulting electromotive force is one volt, then the inductance of the
circuit is one henry.

Hertz — A unit of measure for frequency. Replacing the earlier term of cycle per second (cps).

Inductance — The property of a conductor by which a change in current flowing through it

induces (creates) a voltage (electromotive force) in both the conductor itself (self-inductance)
and in any nearby conductors (mutual inductance). Measured in henry (H).

Insulator — Any material where electric current does not flow freely. Insulative materials, such
as glass, rubber, air, and many plastics have a relatively high resistance. Insulators protect
equipment and life from electric shock.

Inverter — An apparatus that converts direct current into alternating current.

Kilowatt-hour (kWh) — The product of power in kW and time in hours. Equal to 1000 Watt-
hours. For example, if a 100W light bulb is used for 4 hours, 0.4kWhs of energy will be used
(100W x 1kW / 1000 Watts x 4 hours). Electrical energy is sold in units of kWh.

Kilowatt-hour Meter — A device used to measure electrical energy use.

Kilowatt (kW) — Equal to 1000 watts.

Load — Anything which consumes electrical energy, such as lights, transformers, heaters and
electric motors.
Ohm — (Ω) A unit of measure of resistance. One ohm is equivilant to the resistance in a circuit
transmitting a current of one ampere when subjected to a potential difference of one volt.

Ohm's Law — The mathematical equation that explains the relationship between current,
voltage, and resistance (V=IR).

Parallel Circuit — A circuit in which there are multiple paths for electricity to flow. Each load
connected in a separate path receives the full circuit voltage, and the total circuit current is
equal to the sum of the individual branch currents.

Power — The rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit. Measured in
Watts.

Reactive Power — The portion of electricity that establishes and sustains the electric and
magnetic fields of AC equipment. Exists in an AC circuit when the current and voltage are not in
phase. Measured in VARS.

Rectifier — An electrical device that converts an alternating current into a direct one by allowing
a current to flow through it in one direction only.

Resistance — The opposition to the passage of an electric current. Electrical resistance can be
compared to the friction experienced by water when flowing through a pipe. Measured in ohms.

Semiconductor — A solid substance that has a conductivity between that of an insulator and
that of most metals, either due to the addition of an impurity or because of temperature effects.
Devices made of semiconductors, notably silicon, are essential components of most electronic
circuits.

Series Circuit — A circuit in which there is only one path for electricity to flow. All of the current
in the circuit must flow through all of the loads.

Service — The conductors and equipment used to deliver energy from the electrical supply
system to the system being served.

Transistor — A semiconductor device with three connections, capable of amplification in

addition to rectification.

True Power — Measured in Watts. The power manifested in tangible form such as
electromagnetic radiation, acoustic waves, or mechanical phenomena. In a direct current (DC)
circuit, or in an alternating current (AC) circuit whose impedance is a pure resistance, the
voltage and current are in phase.

VARS — A unit of measure of reactive power. Vars may be considered as either the imaginary
part of apparent power, or the power flowing into a reactive load, where voltage and current are
specified in volts and amperes.

Volt-Ampere (VA) — A unit of measure of apparent power. It is the product of the rms voltage
and the rms current.
Volt (V) — A unit measure of voltage. One volt is equal to the difference of potential that would
drive one ampere of current against one ohm resistance.

Voltage — An electromotive force or "pressure" that causes electrons to flow and can be
compared to water pressure which causes water to flow in a pipe. Measured in volts.

Watt-hour (Wh) — A unit of electrical energy equivalent to a power consumption of one watt for
one hour.

Watt (W) — A unit of electrical power. One watt is equivalent to one joule per second,
corresponding to the power in an electric circuit in which the potential difference is one volt and
the current one ampere.

Basic electrical concepts

In each plant, the mechanical movement of different equipments is caused by an electric
prime mover (motor). Electrical power is derived from either utilities or internal generators
and is distributed through transformers to deliver usable voltage levels.

Electricity is found in two common forms:

• AC (alternating current)

• DC (direct current).

Electrical equipments can run on either of the AC/DC forms of electrical energies. The
selection of energy source for equipment depends on its application requirements. Each
energy source has its own merits and demerits.

Industrial AC voltage levels are roughly defined as LV (low voltage) and HV (high voltage)
with frequency of 50–60 Hz. An electrical circuit has the following three basic components
irrespective of its electrical energy form:

• Voltage (volts)

• Ampere (amps)

• Resistance (ohms).

1. Voltage is defined as the electrical potential difference that causes electrons to flow.

2. Current is defined as the flow of electrons and is measured in amperes.

3. Resistance is defined as the opposition to the flow of electrons and is measured in ohms.

All three are bound together with Ohm’s law, which gives the following relation between the
three:

 V=I×R

(a) Power

In DC circuits, power (watts) is simply a product of voltage and current.

 P =V × I

For AC circuits, the formula holds true for purely resistive circuits; however, for the
following types of AC circuits, power is not just a product of voltage and current.

Apparent power is the product of voltage and ampere, i.e., VA or kVA is known as
apparent power. Apparent power is total power supplied to a circuit inclusive of the true and
reactive power.

Real power or true power is the power that can be converted into work and is measured in
watts

Reactive power If the circuit is of an inductive or capacitive type, then the reactive
component consumes power and cannot be converted into work. This is known as reactive
power and is denoted by the unit VAR.

(b) Relationship between powers

 Apparent power (VA) = V × A
 True power (Watts) = VA × cosφ
 Reactive power (VAR) = VA × sinφ

(c) Power factor

Power factor is defined as the ratio of real power to apparent power. The maximum value it
can carry is either 1 or 100(%), which would be obtained in a purely resistive circuit.

Power factor = True power / Apparent power