Basic Electrical Theory ELECTRICAL TERMINOLOGYELECTRICAL TERMINOLOGYKnowledge of key electrical terminology is necessary to fully understandprinciples in electrical science.EO 1.2 DEFINE the following terms:a. Conductorb. Insulatorc. Resistord. Electron current flowe. Conventional current flowf. Direct current (DC)g. Alternating current (AC)h. Ideal sourcei. Real sourceConductorsConductors are materials with electrons that are loosely bound to their atoms, or materials thatpermit free motion of a large number of electrons. Atoms with only one valence electron, suchas copper, silver, and gold, are examples of good conductors. Most metals are good conductors.InsulatorsInsulators, or nonconductors, are materials with electrons that are tightly bound to their atomsand require large amounts of energy to free them from the influence of the nucleus. The atomsof good insulators have their valence shells filled with eight electrons, which means they aremore than half filled. Any energy applied to such an atom will be distributed among a relativelylarge number of electrons. Examples of insulators are rubber, plastics, glass, and dry wood.ResistorsResistors 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 conductorsnor 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, andlead. Each has four valence electrons.Rev. 0 Page 9 ES-01
Integrated Publishing, Inc. - A (SDVOSB) Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
