Basic Terminology for Beginner Electricians: The Words You Need to Know

· Electricity

Electricity is energy that comes from the movement of electrons. Electricity powers heating, lighting and sound devices.^[2] Power plants are often the source of electricity. They may produce it by harnessing nuclear reactions, burning coal or catching the wind. Power travels from these plants via cables underground or hung high in the air to homes and buildings, where it is transmitted through wires in the walls to electrical outlets. Electricians work on these cables and wires.^[3]

· Atom

Composed of protons, electrons and neutrons, atoms are considered the “building blocks of matter.”

· Neutron

A neutron is a subatomic particle with no charge.^[4]

· Proton

A proton is a subatomic particle with a positive charge.

· Electron

An electron is a subatomic particle with a negative charge.

· Electric Charge

You’ve probably heard the phrase “opposites attract.” This is the case with the subatomic particles in atoms: positively charged protons and negatively charged electrons within atoms attract each other. These electrons and protons create electric fields that exert a force, known as the Coulomb force. This force is emitted outward in all directions. Since protons generally stay in the nuclei of the atom, and electrons are free to move, an electric charge is typically created by a deficit or a surplus of electrons. An imbalance of charge enables electrons to flow, resulting in an electric current.^[5]

· Coulomb Force or Electrostatic Force

The Coulomb Force, or Electrostatic Force, is the force one stationary object holding electric charge exerts on another similarly electrically-charged, stationary object. When both objects have the same charge, the force is repulsive; if they have opposite charges, the force is attractive.^[6]

· Positive Electric Charge

A positive electric charge is a charge with more protons than electrons.

· Negative Electric Charge

A negative electric charge is a charge with more electrons than protons.^[7]

Flow of Electricity

· Electric Current

An electric current is the flow of electrons through matter.

· Direct Current

A direct current is the unidirectional flow of electrons.^[8]

· Alternating Current

An alternating current is a flow of electrons that periodically reverses direction.^[9]

· Resistance

Electrons flow more easily through some types of materials than others. Resistance is a measurement of the ease or difficulty of their movement through a material.

· Electro-Motive Force (EMF)

An EMF is the attractive force used to pull electrons through a material with high resistance.

· Power

The work required for electrons to flow through a medium- or high-resistance material is called power. Power can result from the heat, magnetic field or motion electrons generate while moving through the material.

· Insulator

This is a high-resistance material, meaning it’s difficult for electrons to flow through it.

· Conductor

A low-resistance material, electrons flow easily through a conductor.^[10]

· Semi-Conductor

These are solid substances with a medium amount of resistance. It’s not as difficult for electrons to pass through them as insulators but not as easy as conductors. Silicon-based semi-conductors are typically found in electronic circuits.^[11]

· Ohm

An ohm is a unit of measure of resistance. This is the symbol for an ohm: W.^[12]

· Amp

An amp is a measure of electrical flow. Each unit quantifies the intensity of electrical current.

· Watt

A watt is a unit of power or measurement of the rate of work.

· Volt

Volts are units of electromotive force. They measure electrical pressure.^[13]