Electrical Study Flashcards
What is three-phase power?
Three-phase power is like a team of three cyclists riding together. Each cyclist pushes the bike forward in turn, meaning there’s always someone pushing, so it’s smoother and more efficient than a single cyclist. Similarly, in three-phase power, there are three separate electrical signals, or phases, each taking turns to push electricity through the circuit.
What does a 400A rating mean for a power connector?
A 400A rating on a power connector means that the connector is designed to safely handle up to 400 Amperes of electric current. Think of it as a bridge that’s built to safely carry up to 400 cars at once. If more than 400 cars try to get on the bridge at once, it might be dangerous.
What is a 74V control battery circuit?
A 74V control battery circuit is a circuit that’s designed to control a battery that provides 74 Volts of electric potential. This is like a control system for a water tower that holds water 74 meters up, giving it 74 meters worth of “falling power”.
How does a knife switch work?
A knife switch works like a gate in a fence. When the gate (or switch) is open, no one can get through. But when you close the gate (or close the switch), people (or electric current) can flow through.
How does a diode work?
A diode is like a one-way street for electrons. It only allows them to move in one direction. So if electrons try to go the wrong way (against the direction of the arrow), the diode blocks them.
How does a relay work?
A relay is like a tiny machine that uses a small power switch to control a much bigger power switch. It uses a small current to control a much larger current.
What is the difference between current and voltage?
Current is like the amount of water flowing through a hose. The more water, the higher the current. Voltage is like the water pressure in the hose. The harder the water is being pushed, the higher the voltage.
How does an inverter work?
An inverter is like a friend who gives you a push to start swinging. It takes the DC electricity and changes it into AC electricity.
Why is AC power better than DC power?
AC can be easily transformed to higher or lower voltages. AC can be transmitted with less power loss than DC. AC is generally considered safer in case of an electrical shock. Many generators and motors are designed to work best with AC.
How does a transformer work?
A transformer is like a magical toy that can make things bigger or smaller. If the output coil has more turns than the input coil, the voltage increases. If the output coil has fewer turns than the input coil, the voltage decreases.
How does a resistor work?
A resistor is like a narrow bridge that limits how much electric current can flow through it. The higher the resistance, the less current can flow for a given voltage.
How do contactors work?
A contactor is like a big, powerful light switch that is controlled by a much smaller, less powerful switch. When you press the button (or when electricity is applied to the control circuit), it activates an electromagnet in the contactor.
How does a capacitor work?
A capacitor is like a tiny bucket that can quickly store and release electrons in an electrical circuit. When electricity flows
How does a capacitor discharge?
When a capacitor is fully charged and we apply more electricity, it “overflows” by releasing the stored electrons back into the circuit. This is called “discharging” the capacitor.
What is a DC link?
A DC link is a part of the circuit where the electricity is in Direct Current (DC) form. It’s like a “meeting room” where the electricity changes from one form to another.
