Break Action Mechanism – A filament of wire using a special material that acts as a fuse. If the wire conducts too much current (generating heat as a result) the wire melts cutting the connection to prevent further damage.
Capacitor Cells – The components within the capacitor that help to create the electric field used to store power.
Demand metering – A method of measuring electricity provided to consumers. Demand metering is common to industrial or large commercial companies across the world. Demand metering measures the one-time peak of the facilities demand for a measured amount of time (commonly 15 seconds). The consumer is then billed based on their power factor during this peak. Most utilities use what is called a 90% billing method. This means that if the power factor of the facility is above 90%, the customer is charged for their kW (productive power) not the kVA (total power) given to them. If the power factor of the facility is below 0.9, the customer is charged for 90% of their kVA (total power) no mater how much of that is productive. Consider this: If the customer has a power factor of 0.8 they are only using 80% of their total power. The utility, however, is charging them for 90% of their total power. This means that the customer is paying for an additional 10% even though they are not using this power to do anything productive.
Electrodes – Are electrical conductors used to encourage electricity through a circuit. The material and size of electrodes is important and varies depending on its purpose.
Equal Potential – When the potential (voltage) is equal across two or three phases. A difference in potential (voltage) may be caused by the power source or something internal within the circuit and is maintained for a prolonged period of time.
Frequency – The measure of cycles per second. When electricity is generated it is created as a positive or negative frequency. A cycle starts at 0º and increases to +180º. It then drops back down to 0º then -180º and back to 0º again. The total cycle is 360º. Hz (Hertz) is the measure of how many cycles occur per second. The standard North American frequency is 60Hz.
Harmonic Filtering – The means of mitigating or filtering harmonic frequencies. Put simply, it removes the frequencies that are not fundamental (60Hz in North America). This is usually accomplished by a filtering device which is “tuned” to remove the harmonics. Power Capacitors also have a tendency to aide in this process.
Harmonics – Current or voltage frequencies that occur as multiples of the fundamental frequency. The 3rd order harmonic is 180Hz when the fundamental frequency is 60Hz.
Inductive Load – An electrical load (device) which tends to oppose the flow of current (creates current in the opposite direction). These devices include electric motors and some forms of lighting.
Joules – A measurement of electrical energy. 1 Joule is equal to 1 ampere of current passing through a resistance of 1 Ohm for a period of one second.
Over-Voltage – A condition in electrical circuits caused by a sudden release of energy usually caused by a static charge, lightning or the turning on of an inductive load such as a motor.
Phase – The term for a power source from the utility. Common households in North America use a Single Phase system which, despite what it implies, consists of a neutral wire and two power lines. A Three Phase system, used commonly in industrial settings, may or may not consist of a neutral wire but always contains three power lines.
Polypropylene – A thermoplastic material generally used as insulation. This material has excellent insulating properties and due to its high density it is ideal for thin walls of insulation.
Power Factor – A measurement of electrical efficiency denoted by P.F. or the mathematical symbol φ (Cosine of Phi or Cos. Phi). It is the ratio of productive power (kW) to total power (kVA) and is measured as a number between 0 and 1 or as a percentage. Consider the following: Imagine driving your car down the highway, you’re using gasoline to power the engine (total power) and the engine is generating 200 horsepower (productive power) to move. If all the gasoline you’re using is going towards moving the car, you are said to have a power factor of 1. Now in contrast, your turn your car on but let it sit in the driveway. You are using the same amount of gas (total power), but the engine is generating 0 horsepower (productive power), you are said to have a power factor of 0. Recent studies have shown that the average power factor of a house is approximate 0.8. This means that you’re using about 80% of the power that’s given to you, therefore wasting the other 20%. This 20% is lost due to heat generated by friction inside the electrical lines.
Power Factor Correction – the means of increasing the power factor within an electrical system and therefore its efficiency.
Power Factor Correction Capacitors – Specially designed capacitors used specifically for power factor correction. The primary function of a capacitor is to store electricity using an electric field. Due to its physical nature, the capacitor has a tendency to maintain a constant voltage. When the voltage drops on an electrical system, the capacitor will release some of the electricity stored within itself to correct this drop. Power Capacitors are measured in kVAR which signifies its reactive power or its ability to react to changes in voltage.
Surge Suppression – A means to limit or suppress surges of electricity caused by common electrical phenomena such as lightning.
Sustainable Energy - Energy provided by sources that can be replaced within a human lifetime and cause no long-term damage to the environment. Sustainable energy has two criteria; resources which are considered renewable and how efficiently energy is used.
Voltage Regulation – The means by which voltage is regulated from fluctuations. Fluctuations may occur due to devices within the circuit such motors or due to external sources such as the power source. Some electrical equipment is very sensitive to voltage fluctuations and may be damaged if not controlled.
