Every industry has a language of its own. Here is a quick primer on some of the more common electrical terms used to measure components of electricity.
- Electron. You may remember electrons from your high school physics class. Electrons are negatively charged particles. It is the flow of electrons that produces electricity.
- Conductor. Any material that lets electricity flow through it.
- Circuit. A loop of electrical flow.
- Amps. Short for amperage, amps measure the number of electrons flowing through the circuit. In case you are wondering, one amp is equal to 6.25 x 1018 electrons per second.
- Current. Current is the measure for how many amps are flowing through the circuit. There are two types of currents:
- Alternating current (AC) is the standard type of electricity. It reverses directions at regular intervals.
- Direct current (DC) is electric current that only flows in one direction.
- Ohms. Ohms measure the amount or resistance in the circuit.
- Voltage. Voltage, measured in volts, describes the force of the current.
- Watts. Watts measure the rate at which energy is used for electricity and other things. Compute wattage with this simple formula: Watts = Amps x Volts.
- Ohm’s Law. This basic equation determines how current, voltage and resistance (Ohms) interact. The equation: Current = Voltage/Ohms describes the conductivity of electrically conductive materials.
Contact Ravinia Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Electric for Electrical Needs
Ravinia Plumbing can help you with all your electrical needs, from installing and repairing electrical systems to standby generators to smart devices. We’ve been in business since 1928, and we’ve made a name for ourselves as one of the most trusted and reliable plumbing, sewer, heating and air conditioning, and electrical companies in Chicagoland. Contact Ravinia Plumbing today to schedule an appointment.
