Basic Electrical Theory
ELECTRICAL TERMINOLOGY
ELECTRICAL TERMINOLOGY
Knowledge of key electrical terminology is necessary to fully understand
principles in electrical science.
EO 1.2
DEFINE the following terms:
a.
Conductor
b.
Insulator
c.
Resistor
d.
Electron current flow
e.
Conventional current flow
f.
Direct current (DC)
g.
Alternating current (AC)
h.
Ideal source
i.
Real source
Conductors
Conductors are materials with electrons that are loosely bound to their atoms, or materials that
permit free motion of a large number of electrons. Atoms with only one valence electron, such
as copper, silver, and gold, are examples of good conductors. Most metals are good conductors.
Insulators
Insulators, or nonconductors, are materials with electrons that are tightly bound to their atoms
and require large amounts of energy to free them from the influence of the nucleus. The atoms
of good insulators have their valence shells filled with eight electrons, which means they are
more than half filled. Any energy applied to such an atom will be distributed among a relatively
large number of electrons. Examples of insulators are rubber, plastics, glass, and dry wood.
Resistors
Resistors are made of materials that conduct electricity, but offer opposition to current flow.
These types of materials are also called semiconductors because they are neither good conductors
nor good insulators. Semiconductors have more than one or two electrons in their valence shells,
but less than seven or eight. Examples of semiconductors are carbon, silicon, germanium, tin, and
lead. Each has four valence electrons.
Rev. 0
Page 9
ES-01
