Fundamental Electrical Terms and Safety

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering core electrical concepts, power systems, grounding materials, and safety terminology.

Electricity

The movement of electric charge driven by electric fields.

Voltage ($V$)

Electrical potential difference; the force that pushes charge.

Current ($I$)

The rate of flow of electric charge, measured in amperes.

Resistance ($R$)

Opposition to current flow, measured in ohms.

Ohm’s Law

V = I times R; relationship between voltage, current, and resistance.

Direct Current (DC)

Electric current flowing in one constant direction.

Alternating Current (AC)

Electric current that reverses direction periodically.

Frequency

Number of AC cycles per second, measured in hertz ($Hz$).

Generator

Converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Transformer

Changes AC voltage levels using electromagnetic induction.

Conductor

Material that allows current to flow easily (e.g., copper).

Insulator

Material that resists current flow (e.g., rubber, plastic).

Ground

A connection to Earth that provides a zero-voltage reference.

Ground Fault

Unintended path of current to ground.

GFCI

Device that interrupts power when current imbalance is detected.

Relative Humidity

The percentage of water vapor in air relative to its maximum capacity.

Static Electricity

Accumulation of electric charge on a surface.

Impedance

Total opposition to AC current, including resistance and reactance.

Shock Hazard

Risk of injury caused by electric current passing through the body.