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Basic Electricity
Important terms
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Atom | Composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons |
Proton | Positively charged atomic particle |
Electron | Negatively charged atomic particle |
Valence Shell | The outermost ring of electrons |
Electricity | Movement of electrons between atoms |
EMF | Electromotive Force |
Voltage | A push or pull needed to move electrons out of their orbit, electrical pressure |
Voltage Drop | A loss of electrical pressure across a designed or accidental load |
Available Voltage | The electrical pressure that reaches a point in a circuit |
Volt | Unit of measurement for electrical pressure |
Resistance | Opposition or obstruction to electrical flow |
Ohm | Unit of measurement for electrical opposition |
Current | Movement of electrons through a complete circuit, electrical flow |
Ampere | Unit of measurement for electrical flow |
Series Circuit | A circuit with only one path for current |
Parallel Circuits | Multiple paths sharing a common power and ground |
DC | Direct Current - A current that only flows in one direction |
AC | Alternating Current - A current that changes direction from positive to negative |
Conventional Theory | An electrical flow convention that states charges flow from positive to negative |
Electron Theory | An electrical flow convention that states charges flow from negative to positive |
KCL | Kirchhoff's Current Law states that all current entering a point must leave that point |
KVL | Kirchhoff's Voltage Law states that all of the voltage drops in a closed path add to equal the source voltage |
Circuit | Path for electrical flow |
Ohm’s Law | The law governing the relationship between volts, ohms, and amps |
Watt | Electrical unit of power |
Load | Resistance (lamp, motor, etc.) in a circuit where work is done |