Electrical Concepts and Circuits Vocabulary

A set of vocabulary flashcards defining fundamental electrical terms, measurement units, and circuit configurations based on the lecture notes.

Resistance

The opposition to the flow of electricity.

Ohms

The units to measure resistance; the opposition to the flow of electricity.

Volts

Measures of voltage or electromotive force; the force applied to a circuit.

Electrical current

The flow of electrons through a circuit.

Amps

Current, measured in amps, is the intensity of the number of electrons per unit of time.

Watts

The unit to measure power in Watt's law, given current and voltage.

Series circuit

A circuit composed solely of components connected in sequence.

Parallel circuit

A circuit in which the loads are connected at each end and then to the voltage source with no loads connected in series. Source voltage is distributed to each load at its full value (current is equal throughout circuit) because the wires have minimal resistance as compared with the resistance that would occur from each load in a series.

Electrical load

The part or parts of an electrical circuit that utilize electrical energy.

Electrical source

The part or parts of an electrical circuit that produce electrical energy.

Conductor

A material containing large numbers of free electrons that move easily between atoms when a voltage is applied, thus, readily allowing the flow of electricity.

Digital Multimeter

A multifunctional testing tool that can be used to test current, resistance, and continuity.

Ammeter

A test instrument or function of a test instrument used to measure current without breaking the circuit.

Continuity

The presence of a complete path for current flow, typically without significant resistance.