Storm Center - Glossary

A

Alternating current: An electric current that reverses directions at regular intervals (typically 60 times a second); abbreviated "AC." This current is found in homes.

Ampere, Amps: The measurement of the flow of an electric current through a conductor.

B

Battery: A single electric cell, or group of connected cells, that produces a direct electric current.

Blackout: The total loss of electric power supplied by the electric company.

C

Circuit: A complete or partial path followed by a flow of electric current.

Circuit Breaker: An electrical device which interrupts the current flow to the distribution circuit when it exceeds a predetermined value. The device is used to protect the circuit from potential damage.

Conductor: A substance or material that allows electrons, or electrical current, to flow through it.

Current: The flow of electricity through a conductor.

D

Direct current: An electric current flowing in only one direction; abbreviated "DC".

Distribution Line: Is a medium voltage overhead or underground line that carries power from the substation to the customer service area.

E

Electricity: The 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.

Energy: The power for doing work.

F

Fuse: A safety device with a metal wire or strip that melts when the current gets too strong, cutting off the flow of the electrical current.

G

Generator: A machine for producing electrical current when rotated by an external driver such as a turbine.

Ground: A connection from an electrical circuit to the earth.

Grid: The power highways for electricity, including substations and large power lines.

I

Insulator: An object or material that does not let electricity pass through it.

K

Kilowatt (kW): A unit for measuring electrical energy.
1,000 watts = 1 kilowatt

Kilowatt Hour (kWh): The use of 1,000 watts of electricity for one full hour.
1 kWh = ten 100 watt bulbs all burning at the same time for one hour.
10 bulbs x 100 watts each x 1 hour = 1,000 watts hours or 1kWh.

L

Lightning: A static electrical discharge between two clouds or between a cloud and the earth accompanied by a flash of light.

Load: The power output of a generator or power plant. Also, the resistance of a device to which power is delivered.

M

Megawatt: One million watts, or 1,000 kW.

Meter: An instrument that records or regulates the amount of something passing through it, like electricity, water, or gas.

P

Power: The force or energy used to do work.

R

Radio: The sending or receiving of messages or effects, like sound, by means of electromagnetic waves through the air without a connecting wire.

Resistance: The opposition of a body or substance to electric current passing through.

S

Service Line: Is a low voltage line that carries power from the service transformer on the distribution line to the facility.

Socket: A hollow opening or cavity into which something fits, such as an electric light socket.

Substation: A power distribution center that steps down voltage levels to a level that power can be distributed to the customer load.

Switch: A device for connecting, breaking, or changing the connections in an electrical circuit.

T

Transformer: A device that raises or lowers the voltage or force of AC electricity.

Transmission Line: A power line that carries power from the generating plant to the substation.

V

Volt: A unit for measuring the force used to produce an electric current; the push or force that moves electric current through a conductor.

W

Watt: A unit for measuring electric power.
1 Kilowatt = 1000 watts.
1 Megawatt = 1,000,000 watts.