Energy Words
Watts, volts, amp, all those energy words can be pretty confusing. Here are some definitions that might help you understand.
Amp
This is short for "ampere" - it measures the amount of electricity moving through a wire. Amps are what give electricity its "shock."
This term was named after the scientist who discovered it - physicist Andre-Marie Ampere (1775-1836).
Volt
A volt, or voltage, is the pressure that pushes the electricity through the wires. This is how electricity gets from the power plant to your house.
Professor Alessandro Volta (1745-1827) invented the first electric battery.
Watt
Watts, or wattage, named after the Scottish engineer, James Watt, is the unit of measurement of electric usage - the amount of power a device consumes. Wattage is equal to the amperage multiplied by the voltage (amps X volts = watts).
Kilowatt
A kilowatt is equal to 1,000 watts ("kilo" is Latin for "thousand"). This is how electric companies measure how much electricity your family uses at home. Kilowatt is abbreviated "kW."
Conductor
A conductor is a material that allows electricity to flow through easily. Most types of metal are good conductors of electricity – that’s why copper is used for electrical wiring inside your home.
Insulator
An insulator is a material that slows or stops the flow of electricity. The special gloves and sleeves that utility workers wear are made of rubber, which is a good insulator to protect them from electric shock.
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