Glossary of Power Terms

Alternating Current (AC): The current that is commonly flowing through the electrical sockets in your home. It is an electrical current in the form of a sine wave that oscillates up and down continuously.

Amp: An abbreviation for Ampere. This is a unit of electrical current.

Direct Current (DC): An electrical current flowing in one direction only. DC current does not have a wave form.

Electromagnetic Interference (EMI): Electrical interference generated by appliances and many other electrical components that cause degradation of sound and picture quality in audio and video equipment.

Earth: A conducting object, such as a wire, that is connected to a position of zero-voltage potential. Common connecting points are earth rods or cold-water pipes that are connected to the Earth.

Joule Rating: A measure of electrical energy. The higher the joule rating, the more electrical surges a device can absorb before failing.

Maximum Spike Current: The maximum current (in Amps) that can be absorbed before failing. The higher the maximum spike current, the more current a device can absorb without failing.

Radio Frequency Interference (RFI): Electromagnetic radiation, which is emitted by electrical circuits carrying rapidly changing signals as a by-product of their normal operation, and that causes interference or noise to be induced in other circuits.

Spike: A very fast transient variation in voltage or current. Many small transients, over time, cause components to wear and fail.

Surge: An increase in voltage or current significantly above the designated level in a flow of electricity.

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