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c_hockey
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direct current (DC)
Current in which charged particles travel through a circuit in one direction.
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alternating current (AC)
current in which electrons move back and forth in a circuit.
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transformer
an electrical device that changes the size of the potential difference of an alternating current.
eg. step-up transformers
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circuit breaker
a safety device that is placed in series with other circuits, which lead to appliances and outlets.
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fuse
a safety device that is found in older buildings and some appliances; like a circuit breaker it is placed in series with other circuits, that lead to appliances and outlets
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electrical power
the rate at which an appliance uses electrical energy.
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watt (W)
a unit of electrical power.
eg. clothes dryer= 5000W
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kilowatt (kW)
a practical unit of electrical power; 1 kW = 1000 W
eg. clothes dryer=5kW
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electrical energy
the energy that is used by an appliance at a given setting; determined by multiplying the power ratio of an appliance by the length of time it is used.
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kilowatt-hour (kW x h)
the practical unit of electrical energy.
eg. electric clothes dryer= 912kW x h/year
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EnerGuide label
a label that gives details about how much energy an appliance uses in one year of normal use.
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smart meter
a meter that records the total electrical energy used hour by hour and sends this information to the utility company automatically.
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time of use pricing
a system in which the cost of each kW x h of energy used is different at different times of the day.
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phantom load
the electricity that is consumed by an appliance or device while it is turned off.
eg. clock displays that require phantom loads.
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efficiency
the ratio of useful energy output to total energy input, expressed as a percentage.
eg. Percent efficiency=useful energy output/total energy input x 100%
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base load
the continuous minimum demand for electrical power.
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hydroelectric power generation
the generation of electrical power using a source of moving water.
eg. the James Bay hydroelectric project in Quebec.
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renewable energy source
a source of energy that can be replaced in a relatively short period of time.
eg. hydroelectric energy
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non-renewable energy source
a source of energy that cannot be replaced as quickly as it is used.
eg. coal
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intermediate load
a demand for electricity that is greater than the base load, and is met by burning coal and natural gas.
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peak load
the greatest demand for electricity; which is met by using hydroelectric power and natural gas.
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wind farm
many large wind turbines at one location.
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solar energy
energy that is directly converted from the Sun into electricity
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photovoltaic effect
the generation of a direct current when certain materials are exposed to light.
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biomass energy
energy that is generated from plant and animal matter
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