Electrical Flashcards
What is electricity?
The flow of electrons in a conductor
What is a circuit?
The path to and from its source that the electrons must have
What is direct current?
Flows in only one direction (usually generated by battery-based electrical systems, internal combustion engines, or flashlight batteries)
What is alternating current?
Reverses the direction of flow of current many times each second (AC is the type used in homes, factories, etc)
The red and black wires carry how many volts into your house?
110 or 120 volts
What is a service panel?
Houses the circuit breakers for the system and are used to distribute the power to individual circuits throughout the system. Follows the meter into the building
What is an overcurrent?
Causes a circuit breaker to trip if a circuit uses too much electricity, shutting down the power to that circuit. The excessive heat caused by an overcurrent condition may burn or damage a conductor’s insulation and cause a fire.
What are amperes?
Measures rate of flow
What are volts?
Measures electrical pressure
What are watts?
Measures the work that can be done
What wire is “hot’’?
Carries in volts (black, red)
What wire is “neutral”?
Provides the return path for electricity (white)
What is a kilowatt?
Electric bills are charged by the kilowatts an hour
What is a hertz?
The current alternates back and forth in what we call cycles per second
1 cycle/second
What is the hertz rating in the United States?
North America = 60 Hz
The most common circuit break in your service panel is…?
15 amps
Why are 2 prong plugs safe to use?
The neutral and hot sides are polarized. 2 prong plugs are designed for appliances that don’t require grounding.
What is the purpose of a circuit breaker?
Open the circuit when a current in a house wire exceeds the rated current for that circuit. It keeps us from being electrocuted or from fires.
What is a GFCI?
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
What is the purpose of a GFCI?
Detects current differences in the neutral and hot wire. Should be the same at all times, if not breaker goes off immediately. Can reset. Use near water sources where safety is a concern: bathroom and outdoor outlets.
We want to avoid these things in our house
Frayed electrical wires
Octopus outlets
Water and electrical wires
Plug receptacles to protect small children
Overloading electrical circuits.
Name a few ways to save on your electrical bill.
Set the thermostat at 68-72 degrees when home and 62-68 when you are away or at night
Clean debris from the central air conditioning and clean the filter
Install the air conditioner in the shade
Operate stoves, ovens, dishwashers, and clothes dryers in the morning when it is cooler
Don’t cool unused areas. Close doors and registers to save energy cost
Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer to browse.
Take advantage of natural sunlight
Paint walls bright colors
Use good Insulation
Check energy guides
