1. What is insulator? that consume electricity (e.g.

, a lamp or
Insulator is more resistance flow in the appliance); and a set of conductors that carry
current/electron. For example, nonmetallic current from the source to the load (e.g., wires).
materials such as glass, rubber, plastic and air 7. What are open, closed, and short circuits?
are good insulator. If the path of current flow is interrupted such as
2. What is conductor? if the switch in a circuit is opened (turned off),
Conductor is less resistance flow in the an open circuit result. An open circuit prevents
current/electron. For example, metallic flow of current. Closed circuit is an
materials such as copper, aluminum, silver, and uninterrupted path that allows a continuous
gold are good conductor. flow of current through an electrical circuit. In a
building electrical system, a circuit is closed
3. What is semiconductor? when a switch is turned on, allowing current to
Semiconductor is neither good conductor nor flow uninterrupted and the lamp to light. A
good insulator. The behave like good short circuit occurs when current leaks out of
conductors at high temperature and good the intended conductor path such as out of a
insulator at low temperature. wire with damaged insulation.
4. What are voltage, amperage and resistance? 8. Why is overcurrent protection used on an
electrical circuit?
Voltage or electromotive force (E or EMF) is the
driving force behind current flow. It is the force An overcurrent protection device is used to
pushes electric charge through circuit that protect either the load and/or the conductors
measured in Volt (V). Amperage or inductive from excessive heat from high amperage
flow (I) is the rate of current flow in a close conditions. Most protective devices open the
electrical system. It is measured in ampere (A). circuit, thereby interrupting the path of current
Resistance is opposition to the flow of electric if excessive current is flowing in the circuit.
current in a circuit that measured in ohm. 9. Why is a control device used on an electrical
5. What is the difference between power and circuit?
energy? A control device either opens or closes the path
Power is the rate at which work is of the circuit. Light switches, thermostats, and
accomplished; it is work or energy released time clocks are examples of common control
divided by time. The unit of power devices found in circuits. control devices play a
measurement that most individuals are likely crucial role in ensuring that electrical systems
familiar with is horse power. If power used by operate safely, efficiently, and effectively.
an appliance is multiplied by the amount of 10. What are the differences between series
time that the unit operates, the energy and parallel circuits?
consumption value or amount of work
accomplished is determined. The measurement A series circuit is connected so that current
of electrical energy consumption, the rate at passes through each component in the circuit
which power is being consumed over a specified without branching off to individual components
period of time in hours, results in watt-hours in the circuit. In a parallel circuit, current
(Wh) of energy. branches off to individual components in the
circuit. Although a series circuit requires fewer
6. What are the three components of an connections than a parallel circuit, if one lamp
electric circuit? fails the circuit becomes open and all lamps go
A simple circuit is composed of a power source out (e.g., a string of low-cost Christmas lamps).
(e.g., battery or generator); the load, an In a parallel circuit, if one lamp fails the circuit
electrical component or group of components remains closed and all other lamps remain lit.
Therefore, most circuits in buildings are wired in
parallel. Series circuiting is seldom used in 15. What is the power factor?
permanent lighting installations in buildings.
The power factor is a number between 0 and 1
11. How do magnetism and electricity relate to (frequently expressed as a percentage, e.g., a
each other? 0.7 PF 70% PF). The power factor can be
A strong link exists between electricity and a measured with the wattmeter-ammeter-
magnetic field. The force of a magnetic field can voltmeter method, where the measured power
produce electrical current flow in a conductor. in watts is divided by the product of measured
On the other hand, electrical current flow in a voltage and current.
conductor produces a magnetic field. When the 16. What is a power factor correction?
conductor is no longer moved through a
magnetic field, current flow stops. The PF can be improved by adding capacitance
to the circuit. A capacitor has the effect of
12. How do DC and AC differ? causing the phase of the voltage to lag the
Direct current (DC) is current flow in one phase of the current and thus reduces the
direction in an electrical circuit. It is always from lagging effect caused by the inductive loads.
the negative to the positive terminals of the Capacitors or synchronous motors are
power source, such as a battery. Alternating frequently used to counter the effect of
current (AC) is a continuous reversal of the inductive motors and transformers in industrial
direction of current flow such that at a point in applications.
time the current flow is in one direction and 16. What is the reason for a utility company
another time it is in the reverse direction. charging for demand of electricity?
Direction of current flow reverses as the
polarity of the power source in the circuit A utility company will charge its customers for
reverses. the electrical energy consumed and, for all but
small users (e.g., most residential customers),
13. How do single-phase AC and three-phase the rate at which energy is consumed.
AC differ?
17. What is demand limiting?
A single-phase (1Φ) alternating current
distribution system refers to a system in which Demand limiting is accomplished by
all the voltages of the supply vary in unison. A disconnecting loads that are not needed during
basic system typically has two conductors: one periods of high demand.
is neutral and the other carries current (the hot 18. What is load shedding?
or live conductor). A three-phase (3Φ)
Load shedding is a method by which
alternating current distribution system consists
nonessential equipment and appliances are
of three separate lines of single-phase power
deliberately switched off to maintain a uniform
with each line out of phase by 120° (1⁄3 of a
load and thus limit demand.
cycle). Basic three-phase circuits typically have
three current-carrying (hot or live) conductors 19. What is the concept of time of use (TOU)
plus one grounded (neutral) conductor. rates and why are they needed?
14. What is a transformer and where is it used? The time-of-use (TOU) rate rewards the user for
reducing power consumption during periods
A transformer is an electrical device that
when electrical demand is highest and a lower
transfers an alternating current and voltage
rate for the remainder of the year. In most
from one circuit to another using the induction
climates, this peak period occurs during the
phenomenon. The device is used in a circuit to
midday and early evening hours during the
change volt age, current, phase, and other
electrical characteristics.
cooling season, because the weather is hottest 6. What is a circuit breaker and where is it used
and power consumption is greatest. in a build``ing electrical system?
An appliance is an end-use piece of utilization
1. What are power generation, transmission, equipment designed to perform a specific
and distribution? function such as cooking, cleaning, cooling, or
heating. An electrical device is a component in
2. What is the service entrance of a building an electrical system that is designed to carry but
electrical system and what are its components? not use electricity. This includes components
3. such as switches, receptacles, and relays.
A switchboard is a large cabinet or assembly of
metal cabinets in which is connected
disconnecting switches, overcorrect protection
devices (fuses or circuit breakers), other
protective devices, and instruments designed to
divide large amounts of electrical current into
smaller amounts of current used by electrical
equipment. A panelboard is one or more metal
cabinets that serve as a single unit, including
buses, automatic overcurrent protection
devices (fuses or circuit breakers). Panelboard is
a cabinet or cutout enclosure placed in or
against a wall or partition that is accessible from
the front. A panelboard may be referred to in
the trade as a power panel, load center,
distribution center, or main power panel.
4. What is the difference between a wye-
connected and delta-connected transformer?
A wye-connected transformer (Y) has three
independent transformer windings that are
connected at a common point, called a neutral
or star point. The physical arrangement of
windings resembles a Y. A delta-connected
transformer has its windings connected in series
in the form of a triangle. The physical
arrangement of windings resembles the Greek
letter Delta (Δ).
5. What is the difference between a step-down
and step up transformer?
A step-down transformer has a secondary
voltage that is less than its primary voltage.
Distinguish between the term’s appliance and
device. Give examples of each. A step-up
transformer is one with a secondary voltage
that is greater than its primary voltage.