Residential wiring
What is battery?
A group of connected electrochemical cells
What is a hybrid AC/DC micro grid?
A localized electrical grid or network that operates on AC/DC and can be disconnected from the traditional electric grid or smart grid to operate on its own power source
What is an AC generator?
A machine that converts mechanical energy into AC electricity
What is a DC generator?
A machine that converts mechanical energy into DC electricity
What is a generator?
A machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by means of electromagnetic induction
What is current?
A measure of the amount of electrons going through a circuit
What is a heat pump?
A mechanical compression refrigeration system containing devices and controls that reverse the flow of refrigerant to move heat from one area to another
What is a smart home?
A residence that contains equipment, appliances, and software that are designed to provide security, energy management, and convenience
What is a micro grid?
A small local electrical network or grid that can operate completely separate from the main electrical grid
What happens when a coil of wire is rotated in a magnetic field?
A voltage is induced in the coil
Traditionally, residences have only been wired for what type of current?
AC
What is a transformer?
An electrical device that uses electromagnetism to change (step up or step down) AC voltage from one level to another
What is a smart grid?
An electrical grid in which electricity is delivered and monitored from a power source to an end user
An electrochemical device that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity
Fuel cell
What are the benefits of direct DC connection?
More efficient for powering electronic devices because an adapter is not required. A direct DC connection eliminates the energy loss from DC to AC and AC to DC conversion.
Wind turbine systems and solar PV systems must be installed per all ___ requirements and must be equipped with proper disconnects
National Electrical Code (NEC)
The generator of a hydroelectric power plant is connected to a ___ which causes the generator to rotate and convert mechanical energy into electrical energy
Turbine
What is a wet cell?
Two electrodes in a liquid electrolyte solution that are used to create a chemical reaction
What is a dry cell?
Two electrodes in an electrolyte paste that are used to create a chemical reaction
What is DC voltage?
Voltage that causes current to flow in one direction only
What is AC voltage?
Voltage that causes current to reverse its direction of flow at regular intervals or cycles
When is voltage produced?
When electrons are freed from atoms by Electromagnetism (generators) Chemicals (batteries) Sunlight (PV cells) Heat (thermocouples) Pressure/vibrations (microphones) Friction (static electricity)
A power generation system that converts the kinetic energy of wind into mechanical energy, which is used to rotate a generator that produces electrical energy
Wind turbine
Where does geothermal energy come from?
heat within the earth
What are the two basic forms of energy?
kinetic energy and potential energy
What is the formula for determining energy efficiency?
n=Eo/Ei x100%
What is resistance?
the opposition to the flow of electric charge
Ohm's Law
the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance
In three-phase generators, the three separate coils are spaced ___ electrical degrees apart
120
To earn the Energy Star label, a residential home must be at least ___% more efficient than those built of code
15
What is electrochemical power source?
A device that uses chemical reactions to produce or store electrical energy
The most common power source that provide DC voltage in a residence, have positive and negative terminals that are often easily identified
Batteries
Photovoltaic (PV) cells use silicon wafers, called "___," that are sensitive to light and produce a small direct current when exposed to light
Cells
A generator that includes series and shunt field windings
Compound-wound generator
When a heat pump is in the ___ mode, the indoor unit is the evaporator and the outdoor unit is the condenser
Cooling
A US government program that mandates limits on the power consumption of electrical equipment
Energy Star
A solution of acid in water
Liquid electrolyte
Standard unit of resistance
Ohms [baby omega]
What is interactive distributed generation?
On site power generation where switchgear can activate additional generation sources on demand
A ___ power plant is a back up power plant that is reserved to run only during times of increased demand
Peaker
A device that converts AC voltage to DC voltage by allowing the voltage and current to move in only one direction
Rectifier
A cell that can be recharged
Secondary cell
A generator that has its field windings connected in series with the armature and the external circuit (load)
Series-wound generator
The wires installed between the meter fitting (socket) and the disconnecting means (main breaker, fuse box, or breaker panel) inside a dwelling
Service entrance
A generator that has its field windings connected in parallel (shunt) with the armature and the external circuit (load)
Shunt-wound generator
The most commonly used voltage in a residence
Single-phase AC voltage
The power produced by a fuel cell depends on several factors, including the fuel cell type, ___, temperature at which it operates, and pressure at which gases are supplied
Size
An environmentally responsible and energy-efficient residence many include the addition of ___
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels
What are the other sources of renewable energy?
Solar thermal and geothermal energy
What are the three main sources of renewable energy?
Sun, wind, and water
What is a electromagnetic induction?
The ability of a coil of wire to induce a voltage in another circuit or conductor
What is voltage?
The force or electrical potential between two points
What is distributed power generation?
The generation of power on site or in close proximity to where the power is used
