Power Systems for Companion Animal Facilities: Operation, Safety, and Maintenance

Power

The rate at which energy is transferred or work is done.

Energy

The capacity to do work.

Efficiency

Describes how much input energy becomes useful output.

Watts (W)

A unit of electrical power.

Kilowatts (kW)

A unit of electrical power equal to 1000 watts.

Kilowatt-hours (kW·h)

A unit of electrical energy commonly billed by utility companies.

Torque

A twisting effect that tends to rotate an object.

Voltage

The electrical 'push' that drives charge through a circuit.

Current

The flow rate of electric charge.

Resistance

Opposes current flow and converts electrical energy into heat.

Ohm’s Law

Describes the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance: $V = I R$.

Alternating Current (AC)

Electric current that periodically reverses direction.

Direct Current (DC)

Electric current that flows in one direction.

Series Circuit

A circuit where current has only one path; if one device fails, everything stops.

Parallel Circuit

A circuit where devices have separate branches; one device failing does not stop the others.

Circuit Breaker

A resettable protective device that opens the circuit when current is too high.

GFCI

Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter, protects against electric shock by detecting imbalances.

Inrush Current

The initial surge of current when an electric motor starts.

Internal Combustion Engine

An engine that converts chemical energy in fuel into mechanical work by burning fuel.

Four-Stroke Engine

An internal combustion engine that completes a power cycle in four strokes of the piston.

Two-Stroke Engine

An engine that combines steps to produce a power stroke every revolution.

Pascal’s Principle

Pressure applied to a confined fluid is transmitted uniformly in all directions.

Volumetric Flow Rate

The volume of fluid that moves through a system per unit time.

Reservoir

Stores hydraulic fluid and allows air bubbles to separate.

Hydraulic Cylinder

Converts fluid power into linear motion.

Lubrication

Reduces friction and wear in moving parts.

Chain Drive

Uses a chain and sprockets to transmit power.

Gear Ratio

The ratio of the number of teeth on two meshing gears.

Belt Drive

Uses friction between a belt and pulleys to transmit power.

Preventive Maintenance

Planned servicing to prevent failures.

Noise Pollution

Sound that disrupts the natural environment and can stress animals.

Grounding

Provides a low-resistance path for fault current to prevent shock.

Flow Rate (Hydraulics)

Amount of fluid that passes through a pipe or hose in a certain time.

Force (Hydraulics)

Resulting output force when hydraulic pressure is applied.

Inrush Current

Higher initial current drawn when an electric motor starts.

Fluid Cleanliness

The quality of the hydraulic fluid, free from contaminants.

Safety Protocols

Procedures to reduce risks of operation and maintenance.

Transfer Switch

Prevents backfeeding into utility lines during power outages.

Spark Plug

Device that ignites the air-fuel mixture in gasoline engines.

Compression (Engine)

The process of reducing the volume of the air-fuel mixture before ignition.

Cooling System

Prevents overheating by managing engine temperatures.

Pressure Drop

Loss of pressure throughout a system due to restriction.

Torque Calculation

Determining the torque produced by an engine or motor.

Consumer Safety

Measures taken to protect users and animals from electrical hazards.

Maintaining Cleanliness

Strategies to keep equipment free of dust and contaminants.

System Design

Planning the layout of electrical circuits and equipment for safety and efficiency.

Animal Welfare

Ensuring the comfort and safety of animals in various facility operations.