Electrical Concepts and Safety

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to electrical currents, safety measures in electrical wiring, and the National Grid.

Alternating Current (A.C.)

The current that repeatedly reverses direction within a given scale.

Direct Current (D.C.)

The current that only moves in one direction.

Frequency

The number of complete waves passing through a certain point per second.

Fuses

Features in a plug designed to melt if current is too high and break the circuit.

Live wire

The wire that carries alternating potential difference of around 230V from the main supply.

Neutral wire

The wire that completes the circuit by carrying away current, typically at 0V.

Earth wire

A safety wire that does not normally carry a current but provides an alternative pathway for current to flow away.

Efficiency

The ratio of useful energy transferred to the total energy consumed.

Power Rating

The maximum amount of energy transferred between stores per second when an appliance is in use.

Step-up transformer

A transformer that increases voltage and decreases current.

Step-down transformer

A transformer that decreases voltage and increases current.

National Grid

A network of power stations and cabling that carries electricity around the country.

Electrical current

A flow of electrical charge, which only flows around a closed circuit if there is a potential difference.