Electrical Terms

Kinds of Electric Current

There are two kinds of electric current: direct and alternating. Direct current (DC flows in the same direction all the time.  It is the type of current that is produced by the automobile generator and by batteries. Alternating current (AC flows alternately in one direction and then in the opposite direction.

Ampere

A quantity measure for electric current, like gallons per minute in a water system.   It is also used in stating the size of fuses and switches and as a measure of the flow of current used by motors or appliances.

Volt

A measure of electric pressure, like pounds per square inch in a water system. A dry cell gives about 1 1/2 volts compared to an automobile storage battery of 12 volts.   In power lines to the house, the pressure is usually 120 and 240 volts.  Large appliances, motors, air conditioners and electric heat uses 240 volts.

Watt

A small unit of electric power used in measuring the rate of taking it from the line.   A one horsepower motor uses about 1,000 watts.   Roughly 100 watts used for one hour, can do the work of one person working one hour.

Kilowatt

1,000 watts; a measure of electric power. A hand iron uses from .6 to 1 kilowatt and a one horsepower motor uses about one kilowatt.

Kilowatt-hour

The measure of work done as recorded on a watt-hour meter. One kilowatt-hour equals one kilowatt used for one hour. Usually abbreviated kWh.

Note: (watts x hours used) divided by 1,000= kilowatt-hours

volts x amps =watts