Chapter 5: Power

Question 1

Voltage

Answer 1

A representation of potential energy, measured in volts (V)

Question 2

Wattage (Electric power)

Answer 2

The rate of electric energy in a circuit measured in watts (W)

Question 3

Amperage or electric current

Answer 3

The movement of electric charge measured in amperes or amps (A)

Question 4

Impedance

Answer 4

The amount of resistance to electricity, measured in ohms (Ω)

Question 5

Multimeter

Answer 5

A handheld device that can be used to measure amps and impedance and to test voltage inside a computer and from AC outlets

Question 6

Clean power

Answer 6

When voltage is steady

Question 7

Dirty power

Answer 7

When voltage fluctuates

Question 8

Surge

Answer 8

An unexpected increase in the amount of voltage provided

Question 9

Spike

Answer 9

A short transient in voltage that can be due to a short circuit, tripped circuit breaker, power outage, or lightning strike

Question 10

Sag

Answer 10

An unexpected decrease in the amount of voltage provided

Question 11

Brownout

Answer 11

When voltage drops to such an extent that it causes the lights to dim and causes computers to shut off

Question 12

Blackout

Answer 12

When a total loss of power for a prolonged period occurs

Question 13

Power Strip

Answer 13

Group of sockets usually in-line that includes a flexible cable that plugs into an AC outlet; Allows multiple devices to share a single receptacle in that outlet

Question 14

Surge Protector

Answer 14

A power strip that also incorporates a metal-oxide varistor (MOV) to protect against surges and spikes; Usually rated in joules (more the better)

Question 15

Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

Answer 15

Takes the functionality of a surge protector and combines it with a battery backup to protect from sags, brownouts, and blackouts; Output power capacity rated in volt-amps (VA) and watts

Question 16

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

Answer 16

Converts AC drawn from the wall outlet into DC using a transformer and rectifier to be used internally by the computer

Question 17

Dual-Rail PSU

Answer 17

Separates and limits the current through each wire to avoid overheating

Question 18

Desktop

Answer 18

Lies horizontally; Usually has one or two 5 1/4 inch drive bays

Question 19

Mini-Tower

Answer 19

Stands vertically; Usually has two or three drive bays

Question 20

Mid-Tower

Answer 20

Usually has three or four bays

Question 21

Full-Tower

Answer 21

Usually has six bays

Question 22

Slim line

Answer 22

Usually stands vertically; small form factor (SFF); e.g. mini-ITX systems and microATX

Question 23

All-in-One (AOC)

Answer 23

The computer case and components are integrated into the monitor. This could be a monitor that is meant to sit on a desktop or a handheld device with touchscreen